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MASON — On Tuesday, July 1, with just more than 48 hours until the start of Red, Rhythm & Boom 2008, Corwin M. Nixon Park buzzed with activity.

Twenty workers from Wurzelbacher Staging in Hamilton assembled large metal pieces to build the 44-foot by 44-foot stage where Grand Funk Railroad and Creedence Clearwater Revisted will play for thousands beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 3. Owner Mark Wurzelbacher shouted directions to the crew and they slowly raised one of the four towers.

"There's a lot of shouting sometimes," he said with a chuckle. "But, it's a big project and a lot can happen."

The five-hour stage assembly is only a fraction of the preparation that goes into Red, Rhythm & Boom, Mason's annual Fourth of July festival.

"It takes a full year to plan," said Chrissy Avery, one of the city's recreation supervisors. "We're already planning for 2009 and 2010."

Early start on entertainment

Rozzi's Fireworks gets the call during the winter to create the 2,000-piece show. "When the time comes to design the show, it takes about 10 to 12 hours," said Joe Rozzi, co-owner of the family business in Loveland. "Then, to set up the show, it takes about two days to pull it together."

Tonight's show is computer controlled to launch the fireworks in sync with a patriotic music score.

"Everything is high-tech now," Rozzi said. "And because of that, safety is as simple as a flip of a switch."

Bringing in the bands

Mason brings nationally known artists each year but "Entertainment isn't as easy as you might think," city spokeswoman Jennifer Trepal said.

"We originally had Kenny Loggins signed to perform," Trepal said. "But scheduling conflicts forced him to cancel, so we got Creedence and Grand Funk instead."

Classic rock acts have dominanted Red, Rhythm and Boom in recent years for one reason: cost.

"The most popular bands are just too expensive," Trepal said. "But, we feel that we present a great show with the acts we've had. And, since we have so many people attending, I'd say the people agree."

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4542 or mrossiter@coxohio.com.

Boom By the Numbers

A quick look at Red, Rhythm and Boom 2008:

30,000: People expected to attend.

$243,000: Spent on Red, Rhythm & Boom 2007

$60,000 to $90,000: Spent for entertainment this year.

$20,000 to $25,000: Cost of fireworks.

2,000: Rozzi rockets launched during fireworks show

1,936: Square feet of main stage

26: Number of food vendors

10: Inflatables in the Kids' Zone