Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – July 2, 2024 – America is preparing to celebrate its 247th Independence Day. That is if you start counting with the date of the first organized celebration of the 4th of July. That happened in 1777 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Records indicate fireworks were part of that very first Independence Day celebration. In addition, cannons fired 13 times in honor of the 13 colonies.

There won’t be a shortage of fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July in Jonesboro. Here’s a look at the biggest fireworks displays planned for the 2024 Independence Day.

Freedom Fest

It’s billed as “the biggest free fireworks display in the State of Arkansas.” Freedom Fest is a huge fireworks display staged at the Jonesboro Southside Softball Complex at 5003 Stadium Blvd. There is also access to Southside off Caraway Road as well.

The Freedom Fest event originated as an event billed as July Jam in Paragould back in 1986. Trey Stafford, then a partner in the operation of KDXY-FM in Paragould, had dreamed of sponsoring his own fireworks display since he was a little boy. “My Mom and Dad took my sister and me to Memphis every year for the Cotton Carnival,” Stafford said. “We would sit on the riverbank above Riverside Drive and watch the Cotton Carnival shoot fireworks off a barge on the river. In 1986, Paragould didn’t have a July 4 fireworks display, so I started one.”

July Jam moved to Jonesboro’s District Fairgrounds on Stadium Blvd in 2000 where it was renamed Freedom Fest. The show continued to be displayed there until the fairgrounds moved in 2012. That’s when Freedom Fest was moved to its new home at the Southside Softball Complex.

Freedom Fest will be fired Thursday at 9:30pm. The fireworks will be synchronized with music broadcast on the six radio stations of the Jonesboro Radio Group: 104.9 The Fox, 100.5 The Eagle, Mix 106.3, Hot 107.5, 98.5 The Outlaw and EZ 92.7.

“We couldn’t have this large of an event without the incredible financial support we receive from our partners,” Stafford said expressing thanks to All Clean Restoration, Arvest Bank, Barton’s, Central Chevrolet, Right Fiber by Ritter Communications and Tommy’s Car Wash. “KAIT has been a partner with us on Freedom Fest since 2005,” Stafford, currently President/General Manager of the Jonesboro Radio Group said. “We appreciate the way Hatton Weeks and his team at K8 help us promote this great event.”

The gates opening to the parking lots at Southside Softball Complex will open at 7pm. There is no admission charged. All of the paved parking lots at Southside and the Miracle League Playground will be utilized as well as grassy areas at Southside. The Miracle League Playground restrooms will be open, and the playground will be open for children. Portable toilets will be placed throughout the complex. Several concession trucks will be scattered throughout the complex as well.

Personal fireworks are not to be brought to Southside, and it is illegal for personal fireworks to be fired on Southside property. “We will have Jonesboro Police officers patrolling the complex to discourage and enforce the fireworks ban,” said Stafford. “This is a safety concern. With people parked so close together at the park, a firework that goes in the wrong direction could be catastrophic.”

“We have had a great partnership with the City of Jonesboro, Jonesboro Parks and Recreation, Jonesboro Police and others throughout the 12 years we have had shows here at Southside,” Stafford said. “Steve Clifton and his crew at Southside are super to work with.”

Food Trucks and Fire Works 2024

Nettleton Baptist Church is sponsoring their Food Trucks and Fire Works event on the church grounds at 5559 Highway 49 North between the Farville Curve and Brookland on Wednesday night, July 3.

Worship pastor Cody Van Scyoc said the event begins at 7pm with over 20 food trucks scheduled to be on the church grounds selling all sorts of food, drinks and desserts.

A spectacular fireworks show from First Community Bank featuring the Roof Raiders Grand Finale will begin at 9:15pm. Music to accompany the fireworks will be broadcast on radio station 98.5 The Outlaw.

“Spread the word, bring a blanket or lawn chair, and join us for our Independence Day celebration!” Van Scyoc said.

4th Fest

Wednesday, July 3 at 9pm at Joe Mack Campbell Park

Paragould Fireworks Show

Thursday, July 4 at Rotary Park starting around dark