Up to 50,000 people are expected to line city and county roads Friday for the biggest fireworks show in Bartholomew County.
It will feature 20 minutes of booms choreographed to pop-rock and other types of music played over radios cranked to a patriotic pitch.
The QMIX Musical Fireworks 26: Bang Bang launches at dusk at Columbus Municipal Airport. All eyes will then turn to the skies, which will erupt in a powdery mist bursting with pride.
Organizers guarantee that one patriotic favorite will be in the music mix this year when Zambelli’s Fireworks aim their rockets for the clouds.
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“This community really loves their Lee Greenwood when it comes to fireworks,” QMIX Radio’s Tim Green said.
He was referring to the classic megahit “God Bless the USA,” which was missing from the music lineup during one Independence Day celebration.
“Some of these families have gone every year,” Green said. “So they notice when something seems off.”
This year’s program also will feature artists such as Fall Out Boy, Aria Grande and Bruno Mars, Green said. Past years’ lineups have been so eclectic to include even the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic.
But sigh-in-the-sky proceedings almost form a backdrop for an event that features food from hamburgers to pizza to Chinese, plus a range of children’s activities such as a magic show and games. Both sides of the north end of Central Avenue near the airport and at IUPUC offer ample parking.
Green, who will witness his third musical fireworks extravaganza, mentioned that a fantastic finish is the greatest.
“Nothing can beat a good finale,” he said. “There’s a second or two of silence. And then the spectators erupt in applause and start honking their horns. That’s really a special moment.”
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What: Columbus Regional Health Presents QMIX Musical Fireworks 26: Bang Bang, an evening of food, children’s games, music and 20 minutes of fireworks choreographed to music played on QMIX 107.3 FM radio station at about 10 p.m.
When: Activities begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday.
Where: Columbus Municipal Airport, with crowds gathering mostly in the area of Ivy Tech Community College, IUPUC, Harrison College on the other side of the road and the surrounding area along the north end of Central Avenue.
Admission: Free.
Information: qmix.com.
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