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Large turnout anticipated for fireworks show |
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Friday, 03 July 2009 |
Fourth of July activities at Tyndall Park are scheduled to get under way around 6 p.m. Saturday, and Benton city officials said they anticipate a large turnout.
Music, other entertainment, food and fireworks are the offerings for the city’s Independence Day celebration.
The highlight of the celebration is the city’s fireworks spectacular slated for 9 p.m., said Curtis McCormack, director of the city’s parks and recreation department.
The fireworks exhibition is a longtime tradition for the city, McCormack noted.
Norm Gray of Mena is the company conducting the fireworks show, McCormack noted. “These guys have been doing the fireworks shows for the city of Fort Smith for over 20 years, so we know we’ve got some quality folks coming.”
The fireworks show will be the concluding activity for the Independence Day celebration, he pointed out.
Entertainment for the event will be presented by Messenger, a gospel group that includes the Petty Brothers from Holland Chapel Baptist Church. This group will perform in the pavilion by the skateboard park.
Other entertainment will be presented in the Gene Moss Building at the park, McCormack noted.
The lineup of entertainers will include Alderman Joe Lee Richards, who was known in earlier years as “the singing sheriff,” who earned the moniker during his years he was Saline County sheriff; Don Mason’s one-man band; and Newbeats singer Dean Mathis.
McCormack encouraged residents to attend the celebration, saying there is “something for all ages.”
He particularly invited young people to listen to “Joe Lee and his cronies because once that generation of guys is gone, they’re done,” he said. “ It’s a cultural heritage thing that we need to preserve.”
McCormack pointed out that the company conducting the fireworks show “will shoot their fireworks electronically, not with flares,” he said. “It’s a timed thing, so there are no misfires or duds.”
He noted that thousands of people view the fireworks show every year. Although the park will attract numerous spectators, many more will be viewing the show from other locations, he said.
“You can see them from a lot of other places in town,” he said.
“The goal is for everyone to have a safe, happy holiday, and we think this will be a Fourth of July that will offer a good time for all.”
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