by Crystal Rakes

Editors Note: This is for the 2010 fireworks show not the current one. Check out KRL’s event pages for info on this year’s show.

Picture Reedley 60 years ago; Independence Day is drawing closer and, for the first time, the city will be having a large fireworks display for the community.

That first show was held at Washington Elementary, with about 5,000 people in attendance. The show was a success thanks to the hard work of Walt and George Grawan as well as over 60 volunteers and 25 different community churches, clubs, societies and lodges. Some years later, the show became so large that it was moved to Reedley High School.

Reedley High has been the home of the fireworks show ever since. However, after the high school put in artificial turf, the fireworks event had to be moved off the football field with a restricted ground show. This year, the Reedley Spectacular is moving to the new Reedley Sports Park on Dinuba Avenue. This allows the full ground show to be brought back and put in front of the audience once again.

Gates open at 6:00pm. There will be fun for the entire family. For the kids, there will be bounce houses and water slides so be sure to bring swimsuits and towels! In addition, there is the play structure already at the sports park. The Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America will be at the show and have activities for kids as well. For adults, there will be a silent auction and other fun vendor booths. The entire family will be able to enjoy music by Rhythm Review and Vocal Experience starting at 6:30pm. Food vendors will also be present.

The actual fireworks will begin at dusk. Don’t miss the opening ceremony. For those who’ve never attended a show, Reedley’s fireworks display is unlike any other. Not only are there the amazing aerial bombs bursting over your head, but there is a stunning multi-dimensional ground show. The ground show consists of beautifully hand-crafted set pieces. Come and see your old favorites like the race cars and the Pelican. In addition, with the return of the complete ground show, exciting new displays will be added. Special set pieces are created every year, such as last year’s Apollo landing, with certain set pieces dedicated to people and events in the community.

Celebrate America’s Independence in a spectacular way this year. Admission for adults is $4.00, $2.50 for seniors and children (ages 3-11). Large group pricing is available. Tickets and parking permits can be pre-bought at Jamba Juice, Town and Country, the Greater Reedley Chamber of Commerce and the Reedley Exponent. With no parking on Dinuba Avenue or in nearby neighborhoods, the Reedley College CAT program will be grading the field east of the park to provide parking for up to 900 cars. Pre-buy your parking permit for $3.00 or pay $5.00 the day of the event. Please bring swimsuits, lawn chairs, blankets, shades and the entire family. Please do not bring ice-chests or dogs, they will not be allowed. Blast to the Past with the Reedley Fourth of July Spectacular Fireworks Event!

Crystal Rakes is 17 years old and an ongoing contributor to our Teen Talk section, found playing trumpet, reading or swimming when not writing.