Freedom Fest Fireworks This Saturday!
We are just DAYS away from the 2009 version of Freedom Fest Fireworks at the Craighead County Fairgrounds. Sponsoring a fireworks display has been a dream of mine since my Mom and Dad used to take me to Memphis. We would sit on the banks of Riverside Drive at the Cotton Carnival and watch the Cotton King and Queen come down the Mississippi on a barge, followed by a giant fireworks display. I can remember one year sitting on the bank and pieces of the fireworks were falling on top of all of us. I decided right then. One day, I will have my own fireworks display.
That dream came true in 1982. We were part of the July Celebration in Marked Tree, and I talked the celebration organizers into having a fireworks display. We notified the FAA and officially closed the Marked Tree Airport to shoot a fireworks display. The cost? $600. Wow. What a show that was! People were lined up and down Highway 308 watching MY show! I was so excited!
In 1987, my dream came true again. That’s when I helped organize the first JULY JAM celebration. It was held in the Paragould Plaza Parking Lot. We were able to convince several sponsors to help pay for the fireworks. I think that year we spent about $2,000 on the show. Slowly over the years we pushed that number to about $3,500. Each year we shot the fireworks using 3, 4, 5 and 6 inch mortars. The fireworks guys, led by Rev. Everett Hart, would drop the shells into the mortars individually and light them with a fuse. We had a couple of near misses over the years, but never a major catastrophe, luckily.
We moved KDXY (The Fox) to Jonesboro in 1995, and for several years, continued to sponsor the Paragould fireworks show. It became obvious several years ago, however, that it was time for us to concentrate our efforts here in Jonesboro. We had owned the Paragould radio stations as well up until that time and, after selling them, it seemed like a good time to allow them to continue the July Jam tradition, and us move to Jonesboro.
That’s when we organized FREEDOM FEST. The largest free 4th of July fireworks show in the state of Arkansas. FREEDOM FEST started with a bang, and has grown every year since. Well over $20,000 of fireworks will be shot this year. Instead of using mortars and flares, the staff from Premiere Pyrotechnics using computerized igniters to fire the show timed precisely to a music program designed by the Triple FM staff and produced by Triple FM production director Ben Blankenship.
The fireworks are fired from the middle of the Craighead County Fairgrounds. There is no admission inside the fairgrounds fenced area. The fence is used to provide the protection from spectators that is required by Arkansas Fire Marshall regulations. Only authorized personnel are allowed inside the fairgrounds fence.
Parking from the fireworks is available all around the fairgrounds. If you can see the sky above the fairgrounds, you’ll have a great view of the show.
The show begins at 9:30p.m. sharp. You can hear the musical accompaniment on any Triple FM Radio Station. 104.9 The Fox, Mix 106.7, 100.5 The Eagle, and our newest station, Hot 107.5.
This year there is a particular emphasis on NO PERSONAL FIREWORKS being fired in the parking lots. This is being enforced for the safety of the spectators. Last year, a young child received second and third degree burns when an “airborn” firework was fired in the closely parked area. The firework did not go up, but went sideways, and struck the child in the face. Not only did the parents deal with this for several months, but the child is left with permanent scars. This is a public safety issue. Jonesboro Police will be patrolling the parking areas, and will have a NO TOLERANCE POLICY to the firing of personal fireworks. Tickets will be written and, if necessary, arrests will be made. Please help us on this.
I want to personally thank the crew at KAIT. KAIT joined us as co-sponsors of this event the first year, and they have provided an incredible tool to use to invite spectators from throughout the area to come see this show. Thanks to Tim Ingram and his staff.
Thanks also to the City of Jonesboro Advertising and Promotion Commission. The A&P staff sees this event as an important draw to Jonesboro and have used funds to help support FREEDOM FEST.
Thanks to Liberty Bank, who has been a sponsor of the event since the very first year. And, to Coca Cola and Medic One for their support as well.
Please, enjoy the Fourth of July holiday with your family and friends. Then, about dark, load up and come to the fairgrounds and celebrate America’s freedom the way it was supposed to be celebrated. FREE. FREEDOM FEST!
We promise a finale unlike any other finale!