Expect fun, fireworks in the park

Sparks in the Park will be June 24 at Four States Fairgrounds, with a full lineup of music, games and a festive fireworks show to top off the night.

“There is something for everyone, and it’s good, clean fun,” said Andi Darby, senior account executive for Townsquare Media, an event sponsor, along with the City of Texarkana, Ark., Southwest Arkansas Electric REA and BowieCass Electric.

Admission and all activities are free, except for rides on the Monster Truck, “Punisher.”

“The Monster Truck rides are new this year,” Darby said.

Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. Activities start at 4 p.m. Fireworks will be synced with music, which will broadcast on Eagle 106.3, Darby said.

Live music will start at 6 p.m. with the Texarkana, Ark., Honor Guard and a bagpie performance of “God Bless America.” The Dusty Rose Band will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. “The Star Spangled Banner” will be performed at 9:27 p.m.

Other activities will include a giant sandbox for children, bounce houses and a climbing wall. There will also be kiddie train rides, courtesy of Amtrak, and more than 200 antique cars and trucks.

Educational exhibits will be inside the AG learning center, along with animals in Finley’s barnyard.

Darby said two new events this year will be a seed spitting contest and an Oreo cookie stacking contest.

“I don’t know how they are going to do it (the stacking), but that sounds like it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

The Darby Games from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. will include hula hoops, three-legged and sack races, and bubble gum blowing.

In the event of heavy rain or storms, Sparks in the Park will be moved to Saturday, July 1.