The Blade’s Red, White, KABOOM Independence Day event, presented by Taylor Automotive, ProMedica and Dashing Pacific, is moving across the Maumee River, with festivities taking place at the Marina District this year.

Previous celebrations were held at Promenade Park, but construction for ProMedica’s new downtown headquarters prompted the move. 

“The Marina District offers triple the space for folks to come down and enjoy great fireworks,” said Mike Mori, director of sales and marketing at The Blade. “In fact, we believe this will be the biggest and best celebration Toledo has ever seen.”

In addition to fireworks, festivities include performances by the U.S. Army Concert Band and Soldiers’ Chorus. 

The event begins at 4 p.m. on July 4. Admission is free, though parking inside the Marina District will have a charge.

The south end of Riverside Drive directly adjacent to the Martin Luther King Bridge will be closed during the event. All traffic entering the Marina District will required to use entrance on Marina Drive off Front Street.

Now in its eighth consecutive year, Red, White, KABOOM is the largest fireworks event in northwest Ohio. Taylor  Automotive has been a sponsor since the beginning, and this is the first year that ProMedica and Dashing Pacific have joined as presenting sponsors. A portion of the proceeds from Red, White, KABOOM will benefit the National Museum of the Great Lakes. 

First Published April 29, 2016, 7:53 p.m.