For the first time in several decades, the City of Bellefontaine is kicking up to conduct a fireworks display centered around Independence Day.
The fireworks show is scheduled for just after sunset Friday, July 3, at Blue Jacket Park, in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Mayor David Crissman said that the city is in negotiations with Hamburg Fireworks of Lancaster to put on the exhibit.
The launching area for the fireworks will be located between the baseball and softball fields at Blue Jacket Park, Crissman noted.
The city remains in negotiations to allow parking for visitors at the Logan County Fairgrounds, the grounds of the former Pine Avenue School, and the parking lots of both the Bellefontaine Middle and Elementary Schools, which are located southeast Blue Jacket Park and the Ludlow Road/Lake Avenue intersection, a spot which will offer a great view of the extravaganza.
An aerial view of Blue Jacket Park shows the baseball and softball fields, along with the Bellefontaine High School football field. (BELLEFONTAINE JOINT RECREATION DISTRICT PHOTO)
While parking on the grass at the schools and at Blue Jacket Park will be prohibited, families and other spectators will be encouraged to take blankets and lawn chairs to picnic on the turf as the fireworks are being launched.
Alcohol will be banned in all of the public viewing areas, and for safety reasons, prohibited areas for spectators/parking will marked off with police tape and barriers.
Mayor Crissman said that the city is coordinating with the Bellefontaine Police Department, the Logan County Sheriff's Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol to assist with parking and crowd control as spectators are expected to number in the five figures.
Current estimates expect the display to cost about $30,000 (which includes the city having to pay the 30 percent tariff on the fireworks), but exact numbers on the final expenses have not been finalized, and the logistics in reference to the parking and picnic areas for the spectators continue to be ironed out.
Mayor Crissman said that the city is planning on making this a huge event and is expecting at least 10,000 people to be on hand to watch the show. About 10 food trucks have already committed to opening for business in the hours leading up to the display, as will the Bellefontaine City School’s Booster Clubs.
As date of the event nears and the plans are finalized, the Logan County Chronicle will notify spectators where to park (and where to picnic) for the fireworks, as well as publish a list of the food trucks, vendors and other events that are in the works for the celebration.
