Elyria will be rocking on Thursday evening June 30 (rain date Friday July 1) at West Park, 1200 Foster Avenue, with a star spangled spectacular evening of live bands, family games, festive food, and the Windstream Great American Picnic and Fireworks Show. Thanks to the generosity of this year’s title sponsor Windstream, as well as other significant fireworks donors including 3M Corporation, Bob’s Tire Service, and others recognized below, this annual early fourth of July celebration will feature headlining band the Whiskey Kings, fronted by WKYC’s Monica Robins, introduced by Elyria’s very own E.T. King and the Determination.
Events will be announced from the Windstream Stage beginning at 4:00pm when West Park will open complete with food vendors for your picnicking pleasure. Vendors will include Hershey’s Ice Cream ‘n More, Marco’s Pizza, By the Slab Catering, Lorenzo’s Pizzeria, and other traditional carnival fare from both Goldstar Food Service and Island Delights. Beginning at 7:00pm the Elyria Parks and Recreation staff will provide family games, and at 7:15pm the live music will begin and continue until dusk. This marks the first year that Windstream will be presenting the Fireworks Show in Elyria.
“We are thrilled to be participating in this year’s Great American Picnic and Fireworks Show,” said Brian Harman, Windstream President of Operations in Ohio. “Each year, this show brings together all of Elyria for a night of festivities, and Windstream is proud to support the community’s celebration of tradition and heritage.”
Opening remarks and sponsor and donor recognition will begin at dusk, followed by the presenting of the Colors by Elyria veterans groups, the Pledge of Allegiance by US Army veteran Terry Stone, and the singing of the Star Spangled banner by Tim Deery. A dazzling, 25-minute fireworks show by American Fireworks will follow, complete with choreographed music. Upon completion of the show, the City will institute a city-wide curfew beginning at 11:45pm.
Because of limited parking, residents are encouraged to carpool. Handicap parking will be available. Enter the Central West Park parking lot via the Foster Avenue entrance. An official handicap parking identification tag will be required. For safety purposes, parking on some streets will be restricted on portions of both sides of Clemens, Oakwood, Penfield, Lowell, Foster, and Spruce. Only residential traffic will be permitted on Seneca and Rockfern.
For safety purposes, the following items are strictly prohibited in the park: animals (except service dogs), fireworks or sparklers, throwing or battling toys, skateboards or online skates, bicycles, laser pointers, alcohol, illegal drugs, tents, large golf umbrellas or flags on poles. All items brought into the park are subject to inspection.
Sincere appreciation is extended to all of Elyria’s fireworks contributors. For a complete list of donors, and to learn more about adjusted traffic patterns and parking please go to www.cityofelyria.org.
Special thanks are extended to these fireworks donors at $500 or above: $10,000 – Windstream; $2,500 – 3M Corporation and Bob’s Tire Service; $1,000 – United Initiators, American Legion Post 12, Northwest Bank, Friends of Cascade Park, University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center, AECOM; $500 – Eco Tree Service, Ridge Tool, KS Associates and Dunlop’s Garage – and many more.
More information including an agenda of events coming soon!
A page thanking all of our generous sponsors can be found here!
