Fourth of July celebrations will include parades, fireworks, food, music and family fun
The Fourth of July is always a time when towns shine. Parades, parties, festivals and fireworks make the nation’s birthday a signal occasion every summer.
This year the USA celebrates its 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Some places are cranking things up a notch to commemorate that occasion. Others are doing the best they can under the circumstances.
Some places may have more pomp in the parades, more fest in the festivals and more fire in the fireworks — if they can afford it.
“Probably the biggest thing is the donations have been pouring in,” said Gil Ning, organizer of Wooster’s annual July 4 fireworks display. “It’s a 20-minute show. We’re spending like $10,000 more than we normally would. So the show is going to be bigger and better. The highlight of the show is the fireball. We’re going to have more of those and bigger ones because of the increase in contributions. It’s still 20 minutes, but it’s going to be bigger.”
The fireball display, which started a couple years ago, features signature effects, offering both visual and thermal response. The fireballs combine gunpowder, gasoline and fire.
Ning said the evening’s entertainment will include a medical helicopter flight from the Wayne County Airport, a display of fire trucks and police cars, more food vendors than in the past, a live band, and bouncy houses and other activities for the younger generation.
“Basically, it’s going to be bigger and better,” he said.
Orrville Fire Chief Chris Bishop said his town’s display, which he said will stretch 25-27 minutes, will be as good as ever, with some additions being explored, but overall, the Orrville fireworks could not be enhanced much because of the cost.
“We got hit kind of hard with the tariffs,” Bishop said. “It definitely hit us a little.”
Bishop said the hope is some new colored elements will be added to the fireworks this year, but official confirmation of that has not come back yet.
Bishop also noted what others may have noticed around town. There is nothing like the patriotic atmosphere that pervaded the area for America’s bicentennial back in 1976, when fire hydrants were painted red, white and blue and there seemed to be a flag hanging in front of every house and business.
“I was like 14 years old when the bicentennial happened,” Bishop said. “People were out doing that kind of stuff. We’ve had a bunch of calls from people, ‘Hey, are you going to do an extra-special show because of it?’ And unfortunately, we really aren’t.”
Bishop also said he doesn’t expect the crowds to be any smaller than usual. Having the weeklong festival and softball tournament, which he said this year has 117 teams and a waiting list, makes for good anchors in terms of keeping attendance where it’s always been.
“That’s going to be business as usual,” he said.
In Millersburg, where Downtown Millersburg hosts its own festival separate from that offered July 4 by the village, fireworks will be lit June 27. And more like Orrville, the Thunder Over Holmes County will probably look like most other years, according to Downtown Millersburg Executive Director Taylor Reining.
“It’s going to be the same as in years past,” she said. “We’re not going to be cranking it up. Our budget doesn’t increase because it’s the 250th year.”
Here is a look at Fourth-related activities going on in Wayne and Holmes counties over the next several days:
June 27
—Thunder Over Holmes County. If this paper has found its way to you and it’s not too late, it’s the unofficial kickoff to all festivities in the area. A one-day family event in Millersburg runs from 1-6 p.m. June 27. Thunder Over Holmes County starts with an afternoon of fun in downtown Millersburg including inflatables, touch-a-truck, kids games, and food and beverages.
June 30
—Orrville Fire in the Sky parade at 7 p.m. The annual parade will kick off a week of activities in conjunction with Orrville’s 14U Fire in the Sky softball tournament. It will include a full midway with rides, food and fun.
July 3
—Wooster: Bayou Blue tribute band and a military flyover at the downtown pavilion from 6-8 p.m.
July 4
—Wooster: Farmers market on the square from 8 a.m. to noon and food trucks, bounce houses, live music and more at 5 p.m. at Kinney Fields.
—Millersburg: July 4 festivities will return. Beginning at 10 a.m., the day will include food, music, a talent show and a cornhole tournament. Fireworks in Millersburg are June 27.
—Fireworks for Wooster and Orrville: Orrville fireworks will begin at approximately 10:15 p.m. after the Fire in the Sky softball tournament championship game at Orr Park. Wooster fireworks will begin at approximately 10 p.m. at Burbank Oldman Road soccer fields.
July 5
—Wooster: Community picnic and a public reading of the Declaration of Independence by local mayors and commissioners.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yourohionews.com ’
