On Sunday September 1st, 2019 the City of Newport will participate in the largest celebration of the year along with Cincinnati and Covington.
Per Newport City Manager Tom Fromme, Riverfest draws an estimated 250,000 to the city. Such a large venue requires some regulations, such as:
1 DO NOT bring any beverages or ALCOHOL of any type into the venue. (Parents with infants may bring water, milk, or other simulated milk products.)
2 DO NOT bring any coolers, grills, tents, large umbrellas, or large chairs.
3 DO NOT bring any roller-skates, rollerblades, scooters, motorized vehicles, or bicycles.
4 DO NOT bring any type of PETS.
5 DO NOT park your vehicle illegally, or anywhere that you would not park it at any other given time (Such as: expressways, medians, road shoulders, entrance ramps, exit ramps, roadway, or no parking zones).
6 DO NOT bring or fly any drones, remote-controlled electronics, or any other flying objects.
7 DO NOT bring any laser pointers or other light-emitting devices.
8 NO SOLICITING North of 4th St. without a ‘Special Riverfest Vendors License’ issued specifically for the event.
9 Plan on which side of the river you want to be on prior to 6 p.m., which is when most of the road and bridge closures begin to occur. Pedestrian traffic closes at 2 p.m. (Purple People Bridge) and 7:30 p.m. (Taylor Southgate Bridge)
10 Allow yourself plenty of time to arrive early due to limited parking and road closures.
11 Plan for long delays when leaving the event due to a large amount of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
12 Dress appropriately for the weather.
13 Small children should consider wearing hearing protection.
At 7:30 p.m., Monmouth Street will close to vehicular traffic and re-open at approximately 9 p.m. and will be one-way going south to exit the city via I-471.
When Leaving the City of Newport: All traffic leaving the event is being routed to I-471 or I-275. If you are directed to a route or direction that you are not wanting to take, please continue on the route as instructed, and once on the interstate, you can simply take any exit to get turned around if you need to. Due to street closures and the large amount of traffic, the direct route to your destination may not be available. Both Interstates will take you anywhere in the tri-state area. Please TURN OFF YOUR GPS while not on the interstate.
TANK will provide Riverfest Shuttles from NKU Lot E (located on Kenton Drive on campus) to the Newport Floodwall. Fare for the shuttle is $6 for roundtrip for adults, children 45” and under ride free. Tickets will be sold under the tent in Lot E and MUST be purchased prior to boarding the bus. Complete details: www.tankbus.org
For a listing of street closures click here.
