Mike Wolanin | The Republic A firework explodes behind the American flag during the QMIX Musical Fireworks celebration at the Ivy Tech campus in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, July 3, 2024.
This Fourth of July holiday, QMIX 107.3’s annual Musical Fireworks event will return for its 35th year.
The free festivities will start at 6 p.m. on July 3 at the Columbus Municipal Airport AirPark.
According to QMIX operations manager and morning host Rob West, this year will see 14 food trucks alongside vendors and a QMIX booth broadcasting live from the event.
This year will also see the radio station’s first Non-Profit Palooza, where local organizations have been invited to share what they’re all about. These local organizations include Turning Point, Advocates for Children, the Excel Center of Bartholomew County, United Way of Bartholomew County and Developmental Services, West said.
“… I’m really looking forward to it. I am fused into our nonprofits here in town, I don’t think they get enough publicity and that’s what we’re here for,” West said. “It was we want to bring light to the services and things that people can use along with helping volunteer and raise money for.”
Then at 10 p.m., tune into QMIX 107.3 and turn the radio volume up for the fireworks display. This year’s selection centers around the theme “Come Together,”featuring some of America’s favorites all choreographed alongside a fireworks show.
“We have a little James Brown, we have a little classic rock, we have a little hip-hop,” West said. “It’s a little mixture of everything.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs to the event. QMIX Musical Fireworks 35 is presented by Columbus Regional Health, Reliable Comfort Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing, and Bar-Cons Federal Credit Union.
“All we’re hoping is Mother Nature is going to cooperate, but you know what? I think it’s just going to be a heck of a year and we’re looking forward to celebrating our 35th year of doing this,” West said.
Other locations to celebrate
Hope will be holding its Old Fashioned Independence Day celebration from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Friday in the town square. The event will feature live music from the Bannister Family Bluegrass Band from 7 to 9:30 p.m., food booths, face painting, pony rides and much more.
Attendees can also participate in contests such as the Little Miss & Mr. Firecracker Contest for those ages 3 to 10, a watermelon seed spitting contest, sack races, tug-of-war and more. A bike, trike and stroller parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks will begin at 10 p.m.
CERA Sports Park & Campground’s Fourth of July celebration on July 4 will feature live music at The Landing by Timothy Scott from 2 to 5 p.m., to be followed by Night Owl from 7 to 10 p.m. A fireworks show will then begin at 10 p.m.
Food and drinks will be available in addition to games and bounce houses, according to ceraland.org. Other bands performing at The Landing Fourth of July weekend will include Two For The Show on July 3 and Blaise Streets on July 5.
The Edinburgh Firecracker Festival will take place from 5 to 10:30 p.m. on July 4 in downtown Edinburgh. Food trucks and bounce houses will be present from 5 to 9 p.m. in addition to live music and entertainment throughout the evening. A car cruise in will take place from 6 to 7 p.m., and the evening will conclude with a fireworks display at the water tower.
