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"The Nasty Boys," fireworks highlight the 96th Findlay Market Parade

Ann Thompson
/
WVXU
Findlay Market on the Thursday before Opening Day.

Cincinnati's annual Opening Day tradition,The Findlay Market Parade, will step off at noon Monday, four hours before the Reds play the Pirates. The 96th annual Opening Day parade features 200 entries, including 12 high school marching bands.

New this year is a float from Rozzi's Famous Fireworks. The company will stay a block ahead of everybody else and shoot off fireworks throughout the parade.

Credit Ann Thompson / WVXU
/
WVXU

Also in the front this year are the three Grand Marshals. They are the dominant relievers from the 1990 World Series Team: Norm Charlton, Rob Dibble and Randy Myers, known as "The Nasty Boys."

The parade will begin on Race Street at Findlay Market, go west on Liberty Street to Elm Street, go south on Elm to Central Parkway. From Central Parkway, it will turn south on Race to Fifth Street, where it will pass Fountain Square.  This is the same route as last year. Organizers liked the detour caused by streetcar last year so much that they're keeping it.

Key viewing areas:

  • Fountain Square
  • Washington Park
  • Music Hall

Parade organizer Debbie Gannaway, owner of Gramma Debbie's Kitchen at Findlay Market, says perfect weather is predicted for a parade: no rain and temperatures in the mid-60s. 

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Ann Thompson has decades of journalism experience in the Greater Cincinnati market and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her reporting.