I have never been to the fireworks. This year we have reservations in Cumberland for the weekend, hoping we don't get rained out. I would keep a close eye on the river here;
http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=iln&gage=ccno1 they don't have it forecasted to rise drastically, but that forecast can change quickly, I would check it often between now and Sunday. Also, here is a good page for general information on the conditions of the Ohio River in Cincinnati;
http://bbriverboats.com/ohio-river.
Here is what I have seen on the Ohio River Boat Party Facebook page regarding closures etc.
Riverfest 2017
The United States Coast Guard Captain of the Port Sector Ohio Valley will be establishing a no wake zone and a river closure on the Ohio River Sunday, September 3rd, 2017.
The no wake zone will be on the Ohio River from mile 476 (beyond Riverside Park Boat Ramp) to mile 464 (Four Seasons Marina and Aquaramp Marinas) and on the Licking River from mile 0.0 to mile 0.3 and will be enforced from Noon on Sunday to 3:00 a.m. on Monday, September 4th, 2017.
Additionally, the river will be closed to all commercial and recreational vessel traffic in the downtown Cincinnati area from Ohio River mile 469.2 to mile 470.5 from 7:00 p.m. until the end of the fireworks display.
During the river closure, no vessel traffic, including commercial or recreational vessels, personal water crafts, or sailing vessels will be allowed to transit, launch, or leave any Kentucky or Ohio harbors or ramps located within this river closure without the permission of the U.S. Coast Guard “PATCOM.”
There will be 3 anchorage areas within the river closure and vessels intending to anchor in those anchorage areas must do so before the river closure announcement is made at 7:00 p.m. Anchorage 1 will extend 300 feet from the Kentucky shoreline between Ohio River mile 470.5 to 470.7, Anchorage 2 will extend 300 feet from the Ohio shoreline between Ohio River mile 469.2 and 469.6, and Anchorage 3 will extend 300 feet from the Kentucky shoreline between Ohio River mile 469.2 and 469.6.
Vessel movement within this river closure area prior to 7:00 p.m. must be with the sole intent to anchor or transit through.
All vessels in these anchorage areas MUST remain inside the buoys marking the anchorage.
Event vessels will be maintaining the anchorage areas within the closure zone. All event patrol will be clearly marked.
The U.S. Coast Guard “PATCOM” may be reached on channel 16 VHF-FM. Listen to Marine Channel 16 and 22A VHF-FM for river closure and opening announcements.
Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies will be patrolling the river and enforcing the no wake zone, river closure, and federal, state, and local laws.
Vessel OPERATORS are reminded to not consume alcohol before or during operation of a vessel.