Funding needed for moving fireworks display

• Fundraising is underway for Fourth of July fireworks with $3,000 of $25,000 raised so far.
• The Coshocton Airport Amphiteater is taking over the event, moving from the fairgrounds.
• Event will feature Parrots of the Caribbean, Coshocton Community Band, food and beer garden.
• Coshocton Towne Centre Association which used to hold the fireworks folded in 2014.

COSHOCTON – Fundraising for Coshocton County Fourth of July fireworks by a new organization and in a new location for this summer is underway.

The Coshocton Airport Amphitheater has raised about $3,000 of $25,000 needed for the fireworks display and a performance by Parrots of the Caribbean, a Jimmy Buffett tribute band. The Coshocton Community Band is also in talks to play. There will be food vendors and a beer garden.

Amphitheater board member Shane Pyle said the fireworks show will be 50 percent larger than 2013.

Any profits will be split between the amphitheater and Wounded Warriors. Donation buckets for Wounded Warriors will also be around the grounds at the event.

“I felt it very important on a day we celebrate our freedoms we honor those brave service men and women who sacrificed their physical and mental health preserving those freedoms,” Pyle said. “I think it will also encourage more people to come out, knowing money will help these veterans.”

Traditionally, Independence Day activities were held at the Coshocton County Fairgrounds by the Coshocton Towne Centre Association, which dissolved shortly after the 2014 festival. Pyle pitched to his board this was a great opportunity for a quality of life event that would benefit the community and promote the amphitheater.

The venue at the Richard Downing Airport didn’t hold any events in 2014, due to shows under-performing or being canceled in 2013 mainly due to weather. Pyle said the board is refocusing on the original plan of having the amphitheater host an outdoor drama, but still wants to look for ways to raise money and be active in the community such as hosting the fireworks display. Pyle called it an “awareness builder.”

“It’s hello, here we are, this is what we would like to accomplish. We can do these things, plus we want to do these other things as well. Think seriously of contributing to the amphitheater to contribute to the grounds development and being able to put events on in the future,” he said.

This is the only event they have planned now for 2015. The July 4 amphitheater fireworks are the only ones planned in the county with the next closest being in Newcomerstown.

Pyle has heard some complaints of activities being taken away from the fairgrounds, but the location is actually better for those who live outside the city and the greater elevation means more people at a greater distance will be able to see the show.

Coordinating pyrotechnics expert Dean Hettinger, a lieutenant with the Coshocton County Sheriff’s Office, said the slope between the runway and taxiway will also give those in attendance a better view of ground works.

“It will just be optimal viewing for those who come up,” Pyle said.

llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com

740-295-3417

Twitter: @llhayhurst

How to donate...

To contribute to the Fourth of July fireworks and concert at the Coshocton Airport Amphitheater go online to gofundme.com/oyaadc. Donations can also be mailed to the amphitheater at P.O. Box 141, Coshocton, OH 43812.

Businesses that would like to be a sponsor can call Pyle at 740-622-3110 or stop by his financial office at 524 Main St. Sponsors will have areas available to display banners and merchandise during the event.