Fireworks to be Sunday at airport
COSHOCTON – The Coshocton Airport Amphitheater Board is ready to welcome thousands of people to the 2016 fireworks show.
This year’s show will take place on Sunday, July 3 at the Richard Downing Airport with gates opening at 5 p.m. and the fireworks taking place at 10 p.m. While waiting for the main event, attendees can watch a demonstration by the Coshocton County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team at 6:15 p.m., a performance by Miss Jennifer’s Dance Studio at 7 p.m. and a concert by country music artist Bryan Lewis at 8 p.m.
“We learned a lot from last year mainly to expect more than what you first expect,” said Shane Pyle from the airport amphitheater board. “We estimated that we had around 4,000 cars there last year so this year we are planning for 8,000.”
They’ve adjusted parking and have worked with REACT, the Coshocton County Sheriff’s Department and ODOT to ease traffic flow patterns for getting in and out of the airport because that is where the best view of the fireworks will be.
“The fireworks are going to be a lot lower this year, but much more brilliant,” Pyle said.
The 20 minute show, set to music and simulcast on WTNS, will be put on by Big Midget Pyro, which works through Extreme Pyrotechnics LLC.
“Every year we try to do bring something new and different to the table,” said Dean Hettinger from Big Midget Pyro.
Pyle said they are planning some new fireworks they’ve never done before called cake slices and using some different types of shells.
“They also are going from five firing stations to eight to 10 of them so fireworks will be seen from a longer portion of the (airport) runway,” he said. “It will be a bigger show and people on the ends will be able to see more.”
Hettinger said they also are ramping up the flame effects for the show.
“Adam Fischer is our designer and he’s come up with some great things that are going to be very impressive,” Hettinger said. “We actually started designing this year’s show last year when we were setting up for that one.”
There will be food vendors at the show, but people are welcome to bring their own coolers with beverages and snacks. Pyle just asks that no one bring their own fireworks because it is so hot and dry right now.
“If you want to bring sparklers just use them on the tarmac,” he said. “Be careful and supervise your children.”
Pyle suggests that you arrive no later than 9:30 p.m. to guarantee yourself a parking spot and that you bring blankets and chairs to sit on.
He noted that after the fireworks show they are hoping to have Lewis perform another set to help keep everyone from trying to leave at the same exact time.
Lewis, known for his songs “The Motorized Barstool” and “I Think My Dog’s A Democrat,” also will sign autographs.
The airport amphitheater board is asking for a $5 donation per vehicle, but welcomes more from anyone who is willing to give it.
“There are many members of the board who believe the people of Coshocton will be very giving at the gate and we will be able to raise enough to cover the cost of the fireworks themselves and add to the amphitheater renovation fund,” Pyle said.
After the fireworks, both lanes of Airport Road will be open for only going out of the airport. The right lane must turn right and the left lane must turn left. There will be deputies directing traffic and no one will be able to go straight toward Wal-Mart.
Pyle said people should expect an even better fireworks show than last year, which was pretty impressive.
“Some people said last year’s show was better than Red White & Boom,” he said.
The airport amphitheater board appreciates the support of the community for this event and hopes to be able to do it for years to come.
Category: Arts & Entertainment
