QMIX Musical Fireworks 34: Midwest Meltdown is scheduled to light up the sky at 10 p.m. July 3 at Columbus Municipal Airport.
Columbus Regional Health is the title sponsor.
The gathering of flag-waving fun is consistently one of the largest events in Bartholomew County, attracting a throng of thousands along Central Avenue and beyond to view an approximate 22-minute red-white-and-oooh seasonal salute to patriotism. QMIX Radio at 107.3 FM plays a mix of pop, rock and country song clips with fireworks set to somewhat illustrate or otherwise reflect the lyrics.
Attendees on lawn chairs and blankets crank up auto and portable radios as the musical soundtrack plays over the airwaves along with, well, bombs bursting in air, if you will.
In the past, for instance, a segment of Seymour native John Mellencamp’s hit “Pink Houses” often was in the mix, accompanied by a spray of pink from the sky. Elton John’s “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” has been illustrated with bursting, diamondesque sparkles.
Jason Yantiss of Premier Pyro in Waldron will be the rocketman this year, according to Garry Brown, market president for the station.
Brown mentioned that he’s back in town after an earlier stint here with WRZQ. And of course, he has a favorite part of the annual extravaganza.
“The grand finale,” Brown said, “is always pretty amazing.”
Attendees regularly have cited such as a moment that they say always inspires. Besides Bartholomew County, attendees come from areas such as Indianapolis and Cincinnati, Ohio, for the spectacle that will include a broad range of food vendors, children’s bounce houses and a free magic show at 6 p.m. in the area of the Ivy Tech Community College parking lot. Because of construction, parking and other details will be released later, Brown said.
In some past years, viewers have parked for more than a mile along Central Avenue to watch the display. Many have gathered in business parking lots to see the show.
When the date has fallen on a Friday as it does this year, the crowds often have been larger.
Brown mentioned that he recently heard a preliminary version of the soundtrack, and believes it’s a hit. The station normally keeps the playlist under wraps before the proceedings.
“It is defintely a comination of rock, pop, and country,” he said.
