NEWS

Fireworks get a new location, new look

Evan Peter Smith
Reporter

ZANESVILLE – This year’s Stars and Stripes on the River fireworks display will be getting an upgrade.

The annual Fourth of July show will be lit on the Main Street leg of the Y-Bridge, a move from its previous location across from Zane’s Landing Park, to accommodate the show’s increase in firepower.

The bridge will be closed Saturday from 9:30 p.m. until ten minutes after the show’s conclusion. West Main Street and Linden Avenue also will be closed during the show but will open immediately after the show’s conclusion.

Pyrotechnician of Record Stephen Vincent said that the best place to watch the show is still Zane’s Landing, noting the move of the lighting location was brought about because of safety concerns and would not affect the viewing quality at the park.

“This show will be a different style from what we’ve seen in year’s past,” Vincent said. “It will be larger, more intense, more rapid, and moving it to the bridge means there will be no buildings or people in the fallout zone.”

With the help of sponsors, including Hamburg Fireworks Displays Inc. and yearly fireworks patron Jaycee’s, this year’s show will feature $2,000 more in fireworks, which Vincent said will give pyrotechnicians the ability to launch a new shell in the air every three seconds during the initial rounds of the show, eventually launching three shells every second by the show’s conclusion.

“And when the show is over,” Vincent said, “everyone should just relax, sit and talk with friends, have another beer and listen to the music for about a half hour, so as to avoid that initial rush of traffic.”

Weather predictions expect a slight chance of showers during the show, although Vincent said the weather will not inhibit the show from starting at its planned time.

epsmith@gannett.com

740-450-6772

Twitter: @evansmithreport

Fourth of July events

Stars and Stripes on the River

When: Friday and Saturday

Where: Zane Landing Park, Market Street, Zanesville

FYI: On Friday, Double Cut at 5 p.m. and Ray Scott at 9 p.m. On Saturday, Cliff Cody at 1 p.m., Hey Monea! at 3:30 p.m., Les Richardson at 7 p.m. with fireworks at dusk. Activities and food vendors throughout both days.

Fourth of July Family FunFest

When: Saturday

Where: Muskingum County Boy Scout Service Center, 734 Moorehead Ave., Zanesville

FYI: Face painting, horseshoes, compass game, archery, shooting gallery, music, magic by Madhatter of Magic and more starting at 6 p.m. American Pride U.S. flag retirement ceremony at 8:15 p.m. and fire dancing team Pyrotechnica at 9 p.m. Attendees invited to stay and watch city fireworks display at dusk.

Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Community Celebration

When: Saturday

Where: National Trails Volunteer Fire Department, Gratiot

FYI: Food at 4 p.m., bounce house at 4:30 p.m., parade at 6:30 p.m., food to be served

New Lexington Fourth of July Celebration

When: Friday

Where: Arethusa Spring Park, New Lexington

FYI: Vendors and activities starting at noon, parade at 5 p.m., fireworks at dark.

Hometown Independence Day Celebration

When: Friday

Where: 21 W. Main St., McConnelsville

FYI: Parade at 6:30 p.m., MIXX Band at 8 p.m., fireworks at 10 p.m. with children and adult games and food vendors throughout evening.