In 2020, when the COVID pandemic had shut down most community events, Tim Ross, the Director of Public Events for the City of Owensboro, started brainstorming ideas for how to save the city's annual fireworks show. The solution? To launch fireworks from multiple sites around Owensboro so that everyone in town could enjoy see and experience the fireworks from their own backyards. It was incredible.

Last year, that new "tradition" was scaled back a bit, but was popular in 2020, that city officials new they had tapped into something that the community had quickly grown to love. So, in 2021, fireworks were launched from four different sites- down on the riverfront, Center Court/Shifley Park, Moreland Park/Owensboro Sportscenter and the former GE plant. Fast forward a year and that is the plan for 2022 as well.  I, for one, am here for it.

Spenser Sembrat/Unsplash
Spenser Sembrat/Unsplash
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Granted, I happen to live between two of those four locations. I can go out back and look west and see the fireworks from Center Court. I can look to the east and see the fireworks from Moreland Park. I gotta be honest. It's really cool to see (and hear) fireworks coordinated and choreographed throughout the city. This "new" All-American 4th of July Fireworks Celebration is one of the most creative and ingenious ideas to stem from the pandemic. I hope this celebration is here to stay.

It definitely is for this year and the City of Owensboro recently shared all the details.

Michael Fousert/Unsplash
Michael Fousert/Unsplash
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If you want to head down to the river, you are certainly welcome to do so. The event officially gets underway Monday, July 4th at 5pm. There will be live music from ZoCephus & FunkNasty and the Downtown Band.  Fireworks will begin at 9:15pm and, as mentioned above, will be launched simultaneously, from Center Court, Moreland Park and Owensboro Warehouse Leasing (which used to be the GE plant).

And, as usual, the fireworks show is choreographed and synced to music. You will be able to hear the soundtrack on 92.5 WBKR and via the WBKR app.

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Angel and I will be hosting the broadcast and are looking forward to welcoming you along for the big celebration.

One quick note from city officials. Due to public safety concerns, the additional launch sites will NOT be open to the public. People attempting to watch fireworks from those locations will cause delays in the show.

City of Owensboro
City of Owensboro
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