It was a beautiful night full of laughter, live music, and a patriotic firework display as the City of Valparaiso and the Valparaiso Parks Department kicked off the annual Fourth of July Blast, this year at a new location. The fireworks show was hosted at the corner of Vale Park Road and Valparaiso Street for the first time in the show’s history.
The festival has been hosted for years by the Valparaiso Parks Foundation. It started when the Foundation worked together with former Mayor Butterfield to put on the display at the Valparaiso High School. The show was moved to Thomas Jefferson Middle School when Mayor Costas was elected, where it stayed for a little over a decade until this year.
“There is a whole series of things that need to be considered when we’re [changing venues]. Starting with the layout of the fireworks, and how to do it safely. With projections of crowds pushing 5,000 patrons coming to enjoy the show, there was so many logistics and man hours that had to go into planning and preparing a new venue in town,” said John Seibert, the Valparaiso Parks Foundation Executive Director.
The change of venue was a necessity because Thomas Jefferson Middle School is under construction. Furthermore, the school now has a new rubber track where the show used to be launched from which does not mix well with fire and explosives.
The new location was not the only thing that guests were to expect at the annual Fourth of July Blast.
“Some of the new things this year besides the venue is that we have extended our food vendors, a new ice cream vendor, The Franklin House, barbecue, and taco vendors,” said Dan McGuire, Director of Facilities for the Valparaiso Parks Department, who had the honor of overseeing putting the event together. “Rolling Hills Vineyard Church, which has always been a great supporter of ours, came out, and they are giving out free water, and helping pass out our program. Without them and their support I know I couldn’t do it.”
“It’s really a team effort with the city as a whole because we are talking about fire, police, public works,” Seibert said. “Really the city as a whole has to work together to put an event of this scale on.”
Seibert explained that the venue is will go through a rigorous reevaluation as it is a first-year venue. Everything is going to be looked at to see how the event can be further improved, something that the City of Valparaiso and the Parks Foundation care deeply about throughout the city.
“It's always been a community that comes together and celebrates,” Seibert said. “It’s common values as well as its diversity, and I think you will see all of that here today.”
Seibert was right; that sentiment could be felt throughout the night. Many were enjoying the good weather and live music that filtered off of the stage, from eating delicious food courtesy of a number of vendors, to playing around with family and friends, and to just spending a relaxing night under the stars.
“We just came out here to see some fireworks, and have some fun,” said Darrin Frazier, who, with his wife Moriah, came to the fireworks show for the first time.
Serena Fugate, a local resident, said, “It’s the first year it’s being held here so we decided to come check it out.”
The show wouldn’t have happened without the support from countless organizations and community members. Thanks to their efforts, it was a beautiful night under the dazzling fireworks and night sky as the Valparaiso community came together to celebrate the Fourth of July and spend quality time with friends and family.
For more information about upcoming Valparaiso Parks Department events, go to www.valpoparks.org.