COVINGTON, Ky. — Large crowds will again gather along Covington’s riverfront and at viewing spots throughout the City for the 50th annual Riverfest, Western & Southern/WEBN Fireworks on Sunday, Sept. 6. To help ensure a safe and orderly event, the City of Covington and its Police Department are putting in place familiar restrictions addressing traffic, parking, and other activities. 

The rules cover road closures, parking, alcohol, motorized scooters, and other safety concerns. The restrictions are similar to those in place in previous years, with a few minor changes. 

The rules apply in Devou Park and what’s called the downtown Riverfest Impact Area – the area north of East Fourth Street between the Licking River and Madison Avenue, with a contiguous section from Madison to Johnson Street along West Rivercenter Boulevard (see attached map). 

“Riverfest brings thousands of people to the riverfront and other locations with a view of the river,” Covington Police Chief Justin Wietholter said. “We ask for everyone’s patience as they navigate the pedestrian-filled roadways. Our goal is to have a fun and safe event so patrons can return for years to come.” 

The Covington Police Command Center for Riverfest will once again be located at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center, at the corner of Madison Avenue and Rivercenter Boulevard. 

To help people with disabilities access the Impact Area, police will have a cart and driver on site. People who need this service should contact the Command Center at (859) 468-4604 when they arrive Sunday. 

Road closures for Sunday, Sept. 6th 

• All streets north of East Fourth Street from Madison Avenue to the Licking River will be closed to vehicular traffic at 6 p.m. 
• The Roebling Suspension Bridge will close at 6 p.m. to both vehicles and pedestrians. The Clay Wade Bailey Bridge will close to vehicles at 6 p.m. and pedestrians at 8 p.m. 
• Madison Avenue will remain open to allow access to public parking lots and garages until they are full or until 6 p.m., whichever occurs first. Once the parking lots and garages are full, Madison will be closed to through traffic north of Fourth Street. Exceptions will be made for TANK buses, invitation holders, and hotel guests with room keys and parking passes. 
• Access to Devou Park, Kenton Hills, and The Bluffs will be restricted to residents and their guests only, beginning at 2 p.m. 
• Streets inside the Impact Area will not reopen, and residents and guests will not be permitted to exit the Impact Area in a vehicle until pedestrians have safely cleared out and Covington Police determine that it is safe to do so. This may take up to an hour after the fireworks are completed. (The fireworks begin just after 9 p.m. and last about 45 minutes.) 

Parking 

The following areas within the Impact Area will be posted as “No Parking, Tow Away Zones.” Vehicles parked in these areas will be towed starting at 7 a.m. Sunday, including next to parking meters: 

• Riverside Drive. 
• Rivercenter Boulevard. 
• Garrard Street between East Second Street and Riverside Drive. 
• Kennedy Street between East Second Street and Riverside Drive. 
• Shelby Street. 
• Scott Boulevard north of East Fourth Street. 
• Greenup Street north of East Fourth Street. 
• East Third Street east of Madison Avenue. 
• Park Place. 
• Court Street. 
• Surface lots along the floodwall on Rivercenter Boulevard between Madison Avenue and Johnson Street and below the Roebling Suspension Bridge. 
• Grass areas in Devou Park. 

All vehicles parked in garages and parking lots located in the Impact Area will not be permitted to leave until pedestrian traffic has cleared and Covington Police have determined that it is safe for vehicle traffic. 

Alcohol & other restrictions 

• Alcohol is always prohibited on City property and in public places. All coolers and beverage containers are subject to inspection and will be checked at designated checkpoints. 
• Anyone wishing to bring alcohol to a private event must have it in the Impact Area before 6 p.m. After 6 p.m., police officers will not allow anyone – including residents – with alcohol to enter the Impact Area. 
• Glass containers, bicycles, skateboards, pets, roller blades, roller skates, fireworks, and motorized scooters (such as Lime, Bird etc.) are all prohibited in the Impact Area. 
• Motorized vehicles or scooters are also not permitted on floodwalls. 
• Swimming in both the Ohio and Licking Rivers is prohibited during Riverfest. 
• Mooring along the Covington shoreline is prohibited. 
• Vendors (without Special Event Permits) are not permitted to enter the Impact Area 

Riverfest 2026 Exit Routes 

As the Riverfest 2026 fireworks conclude, the Covington Police Department will implement a coordinated traffic management plan to help pedestrians and vehicles exit the downtown area as safely and efficiently as possible. Officers will be stationed along the primary exit corridors shown on the map below to keep traffic moving and assist motorists. 

Officer Traffic Control Locations 

Officers will be stationed at every intersection along the following routes: 

• W. 4th Street from Garrard Street to the I-75 entrance. 
• Madison Avenue from RiverCenter Boulevard to 12th Street. 
• Scott Boulevard from 3rd Street to 12th Street. 
• W. Pike Street from Madison Avenue to Montague Road. 

Recommended Exit Routes 

• To I-75 North: Use W. 4th Street via the Texas Turnaround at Pike Street or use Pike Street to access I-75 at Simon Kenton Way. 
• To I-75 South: Use W. 4th Street or Pike Street to Dixie Highway, then continue to Kyles Lane. 
• To destinations within Covington or south of downtown: Use Madison Avenue or Scott Boulevard. 

Traffic Operations 

Officers directing traffic will prioritize continuous traffic flow by routing vehicles: 

• Southbound on Scott Boulevard 
• Southbound on Madison Avenue 
• Westbound on W. 4th Street 
• Westbound on W. Pike Street 

To maintain these primary traffic corridors, vehicles on side streets may be held for extended periods while heavy traffic clears. 

For pedestrian safety and to reduce congestion, officers will temporarily restrict vehicle exits from the following parking garages: 

• RiverCenter 
• Embassy Suites 
• Marriott 
• Ascent 
• 230 Madison Courthouse Garage 

These garages may remain closed for up to one hour after the fireworks while pedestrian traffic and the initial surge of vehicles clear the area. 

Thank you for your patience and cooperation. The Covington Police Department wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable Riverfest 2026.