In Columbus, Ohio, the annual Red White and Boom celebration draws massive crowds eager to enjoy fireworks, food, and festive fun. While most attendees focus on the colorful spectacle in the sky, there’s an entire network of behind-the-scenes workers and volunteers who make the event possible. From sanitation crews to community outreach organizations, several teams come together each year to support the event in meaningful ways—often unnoticed by the thousands of spectators.
One new group joining the operational team this year is The Open Shelter, a Columbus-based nonprofit that assists people facing homelessness throughout central Ohio. For the first time, volunteers from The Open Shelter will serve drinks at designated beer trailers during Red White and Boom. According to Harry Yeprem, the organization’s resource development coordinator, this opportunity brings both visibility and financial support to their mission. Fifteen percent of the proceeds from these beer trailers, along with any tips collected, will go directly toward funding The Open Shelter’s programs and services.
Yeprem, who usually attends the event as a spectator, expressed excitement about participating in this new capacity. He views the collaboration as a great example of community connection, noting that just as Red White and Boom is a team effort, so too is the work of supporting vulnerable populations. Sheli Mathias, director of The Open Shelter, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that every bit of support counts. She described the partnership as an extension of the organization’s philosophy that everyone has a role to play in helping others.
Another essential component of the event’s success involves logistics that few people think about until they’re urgently needed—restrooms. Rent-A-John Portable Sanitation, a longtime partner of the celebration, has played a crucial role in ensuring the availability of clean, accessible restroom facilities for decades. Tony Cain, general manager of the company, shared that this year’s setup includes 114 temporary stalls, spanning single units, ADA-accessible stalls, and multi-stall units. That number does not include walkthrough urinals, which are also deployed in strategic areas of the event site.
Cain explained that sanitation services are foundational to events like Red White and Boom, whether it's a large stadium concert, a local tournament, or a national holiday gathering. Although the work his team does might not be glamorous, he emphasized that it's essential. Providing restroom access allows guests to enjoy public events without worry and contributes to overall public safety and comfort.
The contributions of these workers and volunteers don’t end when the final firework bursts in the sky. Cleanup operations begin as soon as the celebration concludes, with teams staying through the night to ensure that downtown Columbus is returned to its usual condition. This post-event phase is a massive task, requiring coordination, equipment, and commitment from many individuals who continue working even after the public celebration is over.
Events of this scale require thoughtful planning and the dedication of hundreds of individuals, many of whom remain behind the curtain. Their work may not always make the headlines, but without them, events like Red White and Boom simply wouldn’t happen. Whether it’s The Open Shelter lending volunteers and receiving community support or sanitation workers setting up and maintaining restrooms, each role is essential in delivering a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable experience for all attendees.
This year’s celebration not only lights up the sky—it also highlights the spirit of collaboration and community that defines Columbus. As the city comes together to mark Independence Day, it also showcases how small acts behind the scenes power the joy and tradition that Red White and Boom represents.
