Arthur,
home of the largest firework display in central Illinois, will be
lighting up the sky with colorful fireworks this Saturday, June 30.
In past years, Arthur has had thousands of people come to town to see
the popular firework show.
“Last
year was probably our best show. There were probably about 20,000
people in town,” quoted Tim Singer, the Arthur Fireworks Chairman.
“We hired a new contractor, Central States Fireworks of Athens, IL
last year, and they will be returning again this year. I hope for
another good show from them ,” Singer stated.
John
Weitekamp, the lead designer of Central States Fireworks, is a 12
year veteran of fireworks. He carefully crafts the design and
implementation of each show. The
Arthur
Rotary Club, The Village of Arthur, CBM Plastics Inc, Tri-County
Welding and The Arthur Park Board
will be sponsoring the fireworks and Freedom Celebration this
Saturday.
Not
only is the Freedom Celebration popular for launching fireworks, but
it's also a big day for business in Arthur. “We
have been told the restaurants, service stations and some other
businesses have their best day of the year the day during the Arthur
Fireworks. Any time you bring people to Arthur for an event, it is an
opportunity to showcase the town and people always come back,”
Singer explained.
The
Freedom Celebration will kick off the day with a parade beginning at
1pm. Parade line-up begins at noon at the Old Progress Tank Facility
at 402 East Progress Street. The parade's theme is “United We
Stand.”
At
4pm, in Jurgens Park, (south of the high school off Route 133),
events throughout the evening will feature an air show with
skydivers, helicopter rides, and, possibly, a World War II aircraft.
Helicopter rides will cost $20 per person. Food and drink stands, as
well as inflatable games will also be available. Handicapped parking
will be accessible to those who are in need.
Crowd
members gathered at the park will have a chance to catch 2012 Arthur
Firework T-shirts that will be launched by the Arthur Fire
Department. The rural aviator will also be dropping t-shirts from a
powered parachute over the country roads (weather permitting).
Between 5 and 6pm, the WWII aircraft is expected to make its
appearance. Then, about an hour before the fireworks, sky-divers from
the Mid Illinois Sport parachute club will fall from the sky onto the
football field. The National Anthem will be played as the last
sky-diver lands, carrying the American Flag.
Central
States Fireworks will begin launching off their fireworks at
approximately 9:30pm in Jurgens Park. “The giant fireworks display
will feature an exceptional array of shells from around the world,
including many American specialties,” said Mark Jones, the Rotary
Club Fireworks Commissioner.
Some
of the featured fireworks this year include a “Cube Shell’ that
forms a three-dimensional cube, the wall of fire and the ultimate
fireball. The show will also be bringing back the popular-requested
rural patriot, who will ride his horse through the “Niagara Falls”
while carrying the American Flag. Those watching the firework show,
will enjoy music broadcast by the 106.7 radio station team. They
simulcast the music in time to the fireworks. This year's display is
expected to last about 24 minutes long.
Singer,
(Arthur Fireworks Chairman), believes that Arthur puts on a memorable
firework show that encourages people to return year after year. He
explained the key ingredients to putting on such a successful event:
“We
have built a reputation of providing a first class show over the 15
years the Rotary Club has sponsored the show. There is no other show
that has the flame effects built into their show like ours and none
as entertaining. Add in the WWII aircraft, skydivers and powered
parachutes, there is something to watch from 4:00 until the show
begins. Families can come and enjoy the show for free and not spend a
dime. Or they can enjoy the concessions and helicopter rides. It is a
family oriented event that kicks off the celebration of the birth of
our great nation.”
