Patriotism is expected to be sky high about 10 p.m. July 2 when QMIX Radio Musical Fireworks: Back With a Bang! Vaccinate. Celebrate!” returns as what is considered Bartholomew County’s largest single-day event drawing thousands.
Most of the crowd gathers on the Ivy Tech Community College campus at 4475 Central Ave. in Columbus. But viewers and picnickers usually stretch for more than a mile down Central Avenue, not counting other nearby streets and roads. The pyrotechnics are big enough and high enough that, on a clear night, they can be seen as far away as the Taylorsville area.
In deference to the COVID-19 pandemic, no vendors will be at the 31st annual event that was canceled last year. That means no food and games. Normally, those offerings and activities began at 5:30 p.m. Also, an Emerge Wrestling card of matches will not be presented as it sometimes has been as a popular side event.
Reising Radio Partners presents the free show choreographed to snippets of pop-rock tunes broadcast on QMIX 107.3 FM, with Columbus’ David Maschino as the resident rocketman — based at Columbus Municipal Airport — lighting the fuse on all the excitement that normally stretches for nearly 25 minutes.
Seymour native John Mellencamp’s tunes are among the tunes that have been featured in nearly every presentation since the beginning. Normally, organizers remain secretive about the musical mix, ranging from rap to rock.
“I think this year’s soundtrack is going to sound a little different,” said Brittany Gray, station operations manager and morning show host who has considerable input on song selection.
She politely declined to say much more for the sake of the public’s surprise and anticipation. In the past, the variety has been so broad that a range of selections from the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic to Lee Greenwood to Imagine Dragons were featured.
Though the event is outdoors, organizers still are encouraging attendees to wear masks and socially distance.
“You may be sitting right next to someone who’s not normally in your bubble,” Gray said.
And the event title is more than just a nice rhyme. Those still needing the COVID-19 vaccine will be able to get their shot at a vaccine clinic during the event. From 4:30 to 7 p.m., the Indiana Immunization Coalition will be offering all three approved vaccines at the Columbus Regional Health Tech Center located at 4580 Central Ave. in Columbus.
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What: QMIX Radio Musical Fireworks: Back with a Bang! Vaccinate. Celebrate!
When: 10 p.m. July 2
Where: Columbus Municipal Airport area
How much: Free
Where to listen: The soundtrack for QMIX Musical Fireworks – Back with a Bang is only available on QMIX 107.3. Details can be found at www.QMIX.com.
Vaccinations: A vaccine clinic offering all three approved vaccines will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. July 2, by the Indiana Immunization Coalition. Location is the Columbus Regional Health Tech Center located at 4580 Central Ave.
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