Finally, we traded in winter boots and mittens for sandals and t-shirts, but now what are you going to do for the rest of the summer? You might plan to take in the festivities of Red, White and Boom coming up this week, but what’s up after the last of the fireworks sputter?

Mark your calendars now for Picnic with the Pots at the Columbus Cultural Arts Center on Saturday, July 9 from 6-9:30 p.m. The list of fun stuff to do downtown is growing, and this one costs you nothing. There’s even free parking around the corner.

The event promises a sensation extravaganza – watch artists at work, take tours of the cool digs, browse the gift shop, join in an old-fashioned cake walk (mmmm…cake) and listen to great tunes by The Juggernauts. 

So, forget about digging your feet into the sand to find summer fun. At Picnic with the Pots you can scoop up a mound of clay with professional artisans to make your very own pot. You might have so much fun you will find yourself signing up for one of CAC’s fine art studio classes, which are a fantastic bargain, by the way. 

So, just where is this artistic Mecca? The Cultural Arts Center is downtown across the street from Bicentennial Park, which is part of the new Scioto Mile (set to open on July 7). For more information or to RSVP for Picnic with the Pots click here. While there, click on their Facebook page and “like” them to be entered in a drawing for a certificate worth 50 bucks to use in the gift shop.

It’s Red White and Boom… and traffic doom.

While the annual celebration is a magnificent event in Downtown Columbus, it can be a little rough on residents and employees.  Suddenly, our comforting streets and walkways are swarmed by masses of humanity and festivities.  It’s tens of hundreds of thousands of firework-revelers, everywhere.

So, instead of staying for the fantastic show, we tend to make an early break for the exits.  The annual day-long traffic jam is worth avoiding at any cost, right?

Not really.  The folks at Red White and BOOM have added tons of events to keep you celebrating all day long.  The Midway opens at 11 am; you’ll find children’s activities at Battelle Park; live entertainment begins at 1 pm on the Genoa Park and Long Street BOOM stages; Taste of BOOM presented by the Arena District begins at 3 pm; Clippers BOOM opens at 6 pm with live music and a new spot to watch the fireworks; and the Independence Day Parade with Air National Guard flyover begins at 6 pm.

If you want to avoid the post-BOOM traffic, you could also consider staying at one of our downtown hotels.  The post-show commute then becomes a quick stroll to a safe air conditioned room.  While most of the Boom-only reservations have been spoken for, the travel Web sites still show some Friday availability for those who are willing to reserve a Saturday night too.  Translation: there might be some late-breaking vacancies toward the end of the week.

You can save yourself the effort of calling around by checking Web sites like Hotels.com - its listings include downtown joints like The Lofts, The Hyatts and The Westin.

Still inclined to flee?  At least you can take some All-American barbecue with you this year.  Stop at Cook Shack BBQ on Long Street.  The fare has earned reviewer raves for its ribs, chicken, pulled pork, brisket and a host of sides.

Like many businesses downtown, it’s locally owned and operated by an independent proprietor.  That makes it a great way to celebrate Independence Day.