Elyria’s Summer Like No Other: Back to Back Fireworks, Concerts and Camps Spark Excitement and Renewal!

 

Elyrians are about to have a summer like no other!  Thanks to the can-do attitude and generosity of individuals, corporations, organizations and foundations, the City of Elyria and its many partners will host an array of FREE summer events and activities, including but not limited to: Eleven Reach and Rise Discovery Camps for 850 children and youth throughout the summer; an Elyria Salute to America: the Great American Picnic and Fireworks Show on July 2 at West Park; the Super Hero Spectacular Cleveland Pops Orchestra Concert and Fireworks Show on Ely Square on August 30; the annual Summer Lunchtime Concert Series EVERY THURSDAY June 5 – August 14 in Ely Square; and the Fourth Annual “Rockin In The Park” concert featuring LaFlavour on Sunday, July 27.  Many other recreational activities and events are also available through the Elyria Parks and Recreation Department and the Mayor’s Office and can be viewed on the city’s website at www.cityofelyria.org.  

Over $106,000 in donations is making these summer events and activities possible.  All events are FREE and open to the public and represent the City of Elyria’s commitment to return quality of life programming to the City through partnership building and resource development.  The fireworks fundraising goal of $45,000 was met and slightly exceeded at $46,401.75.  City employees, officials and unions have contributed over $3,000 to the fireworks as a way to say thank you and give back to the community.  “It is clear given the magnitude of this very generous philanthropic response to the City’s request to support activities that members of our community are working very hard to make Elyria the chosen place again to live, work, play and raise our families,” said Mayor Holly Brinda.  “I am so very proud to live in a city where our citizens, businesses and organizations pull together for the greater good to create opportunities for all of us to share.” 

A renewed highlight of this summer’s events will be the return of the fireworks to the City.  And not only is the City returning fireworks to West Park for the first time since 2008, but thanks to the generosity of donors and Melrose Pyrotechniques who has donated a small second show, the City will also be adding fireworks to the Labor Day weekend festivities during the first Super Hero Spectacular Cleveland Pops Orchestra Concert and Fireworks Show, co-sponsored by the City and Main Street Elyria. 

Billed as Elyria’s Salute to America: the Great American Picnic and Fireworks Show, this celebration of independence is scheduled for July 2 with a rain date of July 3 at West Park – 1200 Foster Avenue.  Activities will run from 4:00pm – 10:45pm and feature a variety of foods, family games, live music, and a second to none fireworks display that fuses musical production with technical artistry to build a star-spangled spectacular show.  Presenting Sponsors for the show are Bendix Corporation and United Initiators each at $5,000, with support from 3M Corporation and Bob’s Tire Service at $2,500; Parsons Insurance ($1,001), Invacare Corporation, The Outdoor Option, University Hospital Elyria Medical Center, Psych and Pysch Services and Mayor Holly Brinda at $1,000; Sambinos Pizza at $620; Allan Kennard Printing at $550; and Eco Tree Services, Dunlap’s Garage, Talmer Bank and Trust, , Citizens for Serazin, Elyria High School Staff and Students, A.J. Gallagher & Allen Thorley DeLloyd Insurance, Ridge Tool and Walter Haverfield LLP Attorneys at Law at $500.   Many other individuals, businesses and organizations also contributed; a complete list of donors will be published in the newspaper prior to the event. 

The Super Hero Spectacular Cleveland Pops Orchestra Concert and Fireworks Show scheduled for Saturday August 30 is a new twist on the popular concert tradition designed to attract more young families with children – as well as the more senior concert veterans.  This family-friendly, fun-filled evening will feature appearances and skits by live, fully-costumed Super Heroes from the nonprofit Super Heroes to Kids in Ohio.  The Cleveland Pops Orchestra will incorporate the Super Heroes into their musical performance and there will be other kid-friendly surprises.  The evening will culminate in a star-spangled extravaganza complete with fireworks.  There will be  healthy “super foods” available, along with a series of Super Hero games and activities for children, youth and families.  Event comers – especially the kids - are encouraged to come in full Super Hero costume. 

For the third year in a row, the City of Elyria and its 14 government, education and nonprofit programming partners and 11 funding partners will offer 11 Reach and Rise Discovery Camps to 850 children and youth between June 8 and August 9.  The camps are designed to create excitement and build knowledge and skills in the areas of science, math, reading, music and the arts.  To register visit the Elyria Parks and Recreation Department at City Hall – 131 Court Street.  The Presenting Corporate Sponsor for this year’s camps is BASF at $10,000, with support from Lorain County Solid Waste Management District at $7,879.50; Republic Services and 3M Foundation each at $5,000; K.E. McCartney & Associates and Environmental Rate Consultants each at $2,500; Friends of Cascade at $1,800; Elyria Charities at $1,000 and many others.  A full list of donors and grant makers will be published in the newspaper later this summer.    

Additional information regarding all events and activities will be released closer to the respective event/activity dates.  For more information call the Mayor’s Office at (440) 326-1402.