A boisterous burst of patriotic pride.
Columbus resident and lead fireworks shooter David Maschino of Iowa-based J&M Displays Inc. promises as much Tuesday at the free QMIX Musical Fireworks 29: Red, White and Boom.
The event that draws thousands lining more than a mile-and-half stretch of Central Avenue in Columbus features a 20- to 25-minute fireworks show synchronized to music played on local QMIX 107.3 FM radio.
And you could say these tunes to accompany the event based near the Columbus Municipal Airport are especially “pop-rock,” often ranging from Bruce Springsteen to John Mellencamp to even the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
“The show this year is a little more upbeat in tempo (than in the past),” Maschino said. “The pace and speed of the music has a lot to do with the shells we can use.”
So perhaps the onlooking throng will be gleefully shell-shocked once the smoke has cleared at the finale of the event that has become as summertime traditional as hot dogs and baseball.
Garry Brown, QMIX market manager and sales manager, mentioned that 24 vendor booths, from food to bounce houses, will line an Ivy Tech Community College parking lot on Central Avenue for festivities that begin at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The number of vendors reflects an event that continues to grow, Brown said.
“We estimated a somewhat bigger crowd last year based on the parking,” Brown said.
Activities this year range from an Emerge Pro Wrestling demonstration at 6 p.m. to a free concert from classic rock cover band Seldom Surreal at 8. Those activities will unfold across Central Avenue at Harrison College, a partner with QMIX this year.
Plus, local illusionist Travis Easterling will present his free, ever-popular show with both youngsters and adults at 6 p.m. in the Ivy Tech parking lot. For cynics, know that Easterling performs his magic only a few feet from his audience that sometimes swells considerably during the performance.
Last year, he befuddled many by changing the denominations of paper money in a matter of seconds.
Overall, the atmosphere at the festivities feels partly like a county fair and partly like a patriotic picnic as lawn chairs and blankets dot the landscape all around, with entire families coming together. Walk the food vendor area and one can be treated to a smorgasbord of smells including pizza, chicken, barbecue and Chinese.
Ceraland Park will offer its share of Fourth of July events on Wednesday, including free concerts at 1 and 6:30 p.m. from popular area country band Hotwired for the second straight year. Plus, the schedule includes recorded music, movies and drinks/shaved ice around a communal firepit. Activities also will include crafts, and food will be available.
Last year, a Ceraland crowd estimated at 7,000 to 10,000 was down a bit from the normal 12,000 plus when the holiday falls on a weekend — or a Friday or Monday, said Corey Behymer, the park’s assistant executive director, marking her 12th Fourth of July holiday at Ceraland.
“We’ll probably be closer to that lower range again this year,” she said, though campground reservations were nearly full more than a week ago.
Behymer acknowledged that weather can play a slight role in the holiday attendance.
“Generally, not as many people come out for the pool and those kind of things,” Behymer said.
Hope’s annual Old-Fashioned Independence Day on Friday will feature the area’s first holiday fireworks at dusk Friday on the historic town square. Some of the other activities on tap include a children’s bicycle parade for those ages 12 and younger, live music from the Banister Family Bluegrass Band, an apple pie-baking contest, a fish fry, and a one-man Abe Lincoln presentation.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Red, White and Boom” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
What: QMIX Musical Fireworks 29: Red, White and Boom.
When: 5 p.m. to about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Where: Central Avenue in Columbus on the Ivy Tech Community College grounds and area surrounding the Columbus Muncipal Airport. In the past, crowds have gathered over at least a mile-long area. Fireworks are clearly visible from a couple miles away.
Admission: Free. A cost for food and drinks.
Activities: Bounce houses, food booths, a professional wrestling demonstration at 6 p.m., a rock concert at 8 and fireworks at dark.
Information: qmix.com or Facebook page for QMIX Musical Fireworks 29.
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”July 4th at Ceraland Park” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
When: Special events and activities from Friday through Wednesday at various times.
Where: 3989 S. County Road 525E, south side of Columbus.
Activities: Children’s games, swimming and contests at the pool, family movies, a country music concert, fireworks and more.
Admission: Free for those with an annual pass, $2 for those 4 and older.
Park hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (later because of Wednesday fireworks).
Information: ceraland.org, or Facebook page for Ceraland Park.
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Old-Fashioned Independence Day” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
When: From 5 p.m. to about 10 or 10:30 p.m. Friday.
Where: Historic Hope Town Square.
Activities: A children’s bicycle parade for those ages 12 and younger, live music from the Banister Family Bluegrass Band, an apple pie-baking contest, a fish fry, a one-man Abe Lincoln presentation and more more.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
