The Big Bang is not just a theory, as for the first time in many years, Bellefontaine will be hosting a fireworks display in the city.
Friday, July 3, one day prior to the United States of America’s 250th birthday anniversary, the City of Bellefontaine hosts on a fireworks show at Blue Jacket Park at sundown.
“Bellefontaine hasn’t hosted Fourth of July fireworks for a long time,” said Mayor David Crissman.
“Now that it’s the country's 250th birthday, I started asking questions about hosting a firework display. We figured out how we could do it and found the funding, so now we're going to have fireworks this year.”
The mayor explained that Blue Jacket Park seemed like the logical place to host the display. The launching area will be located in the rough asphalt triangle separating AcuSport Stadium, the baseball field and the softball diamond.
“It’s surrounded by viewing areas,” Crissman said of venue. “We have to mark off (a portion of the park) for the fallout of the fireworks, but we have Blue Jacket Park, we have the elementary school and the middle school fields in front, and the high school lot to watch it. You can also see it from the (Logan County Fairgrounds), so there's plenty of areas to watch it.”
Handicap parking will be available in the south lot of Bellefontaine High School. The BHS south Lot, BHS student parking, and Bellefontaine Middle School and Elementary School all will be available for parking, as well as the Logan County Fairgrounds.
While the BCS lots are free, the fairgrounds are $5 per car.
Viewing areas are first come first serve on the BHS practice football field, the south side of Blue Jacket Park and the hills at BES and BMS, as well as the fairgrounds.
“When it comes to the schools, they of course don't want you parking on the grass,” Crissman said, “but it's perfectly acceptable to park in the lots, and take a blanket or picnic basket along to spread out on the grassy areas.”
After it was announced that Bellefontaine was bringing back the fireworks, the city decided to make it a full-day extravaganza.
Starting at noon, a free of charge kids zone at Blue Jacket Park includes bounce houses and a water inflatable sponsored by Bellefontaine Moose 2563 & WOTM 2228 of Bellefontaine, a cornhole tournament hosted by Stocked Event Rentals, a dunk tank hosted by Bellefontaine Youth Football, a petting zoo by Truesdale Farm, and nails with Relax Nail Bar and Salon.
The food truck lineup is also impressive, as the high school parking lot is expected to host Flappers Fins & Fries, Hall's Country Kettle Corn, Freyhof's Funnel Cakes, Waldog Frankfurters, Candy Craze, Where There's Smoke, Drake & Co., The Main Squeez and The Lazy Potato. Musicians and vendors are also expected to make the scene.
Bellefontaine Parks and Recreation District employees set up Port-A-Johns close to the practice football field and on the hills at BES and BMS for festival-goers. Brick and mortar restrooms are also available at Blue Jacket Park and at the fairgrounds, parks officials noted.
A free of charge kid zone will be set up at Blue Jacket with bounce houses, an inflatable water slide, and obstacle courses. Funds for this were provided by the Bellefontaine Moose 2563 & WOTM 2228.
The Bellefontaine Youth Football team is running a dunk tank with local celebrities throughout the day as well.
“Bring lawn chairs and your coolers if you want to bring your own food and drink, too,” Crissman said, reminding attendees that alcohol is prohibited at both Blue Jacket Park on BCS grounds.
He also encouraged visitors to take any of their refuse with them upon their departure – the Parks Department will be putting out extra trash receptacles for the event – and asked for volunteers the following morning to get the park back into tip-top shape.
Hamburg Fireworks of Lancaster has been contracted for the display. Crissman said that the city is spending $50,000 on the fireworks, part of which is a 30 percent tariff on the fireworks themselves. They are expected to launch over 2,000 fireworks shells during a 30-minute display.
