Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Fireworks Light Up Holiday
It’s almost time for some fireworks and residents in the area will have two chances to watch some spectacular shows during the July 4 holiday.
Prairie Grove will sponsor its fifth annual Celebrate Prairie Grove event, 7-10 p.m., Saturday, July 1, at Prairie Grove Aquatic Park.
The pool will be open free to the public with hot dogs and drinks provided free of charge. In addition to swimming and food, inflatable, bouncy houses will be available for kids. The family-friendly evening will cap off at dark with a fireworks display.
This year, Stan Cook of Prairie Grove will provide the fireworks show. Cook, who is licensed through Riverside Fireworks, said he has given his own personal fireworks show for about 15 years. For the past four or five years, the show has been in the field across from Prairie Grove High School on Bush Street.
Cook is combining his personal show and the city’s fireworks display into one big event this year. He will shoot off the fireworks from a pasture directly south of the aquatic park and this will give him the distance he needs for the larger fireworks, he said.
Cook said he has had an oversized, backyard show since he was
18 years old.
“My birthday is on the 4th of July and I like to blow up fireworks,” Cook said.
He is looking forward to giving a great fireworks display for the Prairie Grove community.
Prairie Grove held its first celebration in 2013 to commemorate the city’s 125th anniversary. The event was such a success that citizens kept asking the city to do it again and make it an annual event.
Farmington’s annual FreedomFest fireworks show, sponsored by the city and Farmington Area Kiwanis Club, will be held Tuesday, July 4, at the Farmington High football field. Fireworks will go off at dusk, around 9 p.m.
Farmington High School’s football field will be open for people to set up chairs and blankets, unless the field is wet because of rain. If the field is not open, bleachers at least will be available for seating.
Each year, many residents fill the football field while others set up in nearby parking lots to enjoy the show. People will be in chairs along Main Street and Southwinds Drive.
Farmington is known for putting on a great show. Plan to show up early for FreedomFest to find a parking space and a place to set up and watch the display.