Night Of Fire

[Columbus coasternut]

Which day is better to attend? From what I've heard both shows are different. Is the 4th better than the 3rd?

[Losing Streak]

I dunno if one is better, but maybe they'll both go off this year... Last year they were both messed up by the rain, the one on the 4th was canceled, the 5th was not right from what I saw.

[beastdude]

I thought the 5th was great. Combine fireworks and lighting and that equaled an awesome show.

[Shman]

You're right the lightning did add a whole new level to last years nights of fire show. But as for the fireworks themselves there were quite a few problems. Mostly becuase the "special" stuff on the tower was not made to withstand the amount of rain we experienced. So most of the pinwheel effects did not work and some of the candles off the sides didn't go either.

[coasterville]

If you recall last year, I don't think we can fairly judge as the local area had sotrms of biblical proportions on the 4th, and another good dose of severe weather on the 5th.

That said, I went on the 5th and watched from about where Atom Ant's is in Hanna Barbera Land. (has a good view of tower as well as the show behind Beast). A good way to find the preffered viewing spots is to check where they are setting up all the portable extra sound equipment.

For those going, be aware that you will see bizzare traffic patterns at the park on both nights, where it seems like the park gets progressively more crowded as the day goes on. After about 8pm, International Street will become very crowded, some would say impassable. The park does know how to handle this, last year there werel setup 'escape' chutes on both sides of International street to allow those who wanted to exit the park to get through, another escape shoot accross the front gate as the main exit was closed. Temporary exits were setup at both the former season pass gates and through a service area/parking lot.

Also, you would be wise to remember that there is a rather complex schedule of ride closings on those nights. Essentially Rivertown closes at 8PM, and never reopens that night , () thought the park is open till midnight, yes this does include Beast. Other rides will go off-line at various times before the show, and come back on line at desingated times afterwards, and the aforementioned service area opens around 8PM for overflow viewing. Confuses? Don't worry last year they gave everybody a detailed flyer explaining the ride closing scheudle path closings and everything.

For those planning on watching from the parking lot, in years past I have seen the parking area on Nights of Fire weekend totally fill up all the way South to Western Row Road. (Though some of that may have been illegal parking in the grass field between the associate entrance and Western Row). Yes, watching Nights of Fire from your car is also a popular tactic.

A rather smart closing tactic though is having the park open 90 minutes-2 hours after fireworks on that night. Helps to spread out the traffic leaving the park.

[Xx2cansamxX]

I've never been to Nights of Fire. Is it something worth going through all the traffic for?

[teenageninja]

Considering you now work at the park you'll probably be working. The fireworks show is really good though.

[Xx2cansamxX]

I don't work on the 4th.

[gabelogan99]

Night of Fire is probably cool I've never been to it before.

What's not cool is the comercial on TV right now for it. It's really really bad.