Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – After months of planning, hundreds of volunteer hours and a 30 percent increase in the fireworks budget, the wait is finally over.
Tonight, thousands of people are expected to gather on the campus of Arkansas State University for America 250 Freedom Fest, Jonesboro’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
The evening will culminate with the largest Freedom Fest fireworks spectacular ever produced, beginning at 9:30 p.m.
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For Scott Berry of Paragould, the chief pyrotechnician with Premier Pyrotechnics of Joplin, Missouri, today’s show represents something much more than another fireworks display.
It is the fulfillment of a childhood dream.
“I was always one of those kids that absolutely loved fireworks,” Berry told JRN. “I’d sit in the back of our Bronco watching the fireworks across the street from Big Star in Paragould, and I was just mesmerized. I fell in love with them.”
That fascination eventually became a career.
Berry has now spent more than a decade professionally producing fireworks shows and is overseeing Freedom Fest for the 11th consecutive year.
As much as he loved fireworks as a child, Berry laughs that safety wasn’t always his strong suit.
“I was one of those kids throwing bottle rockets and firecrackers and doing all the things little boys probably shouldn’t do,” he joked.
Today, however, safety is his highest priority.
“When we do these professional shows, we don’t play around with safety at all,” Berry said. “Everything is planned. Everything has procedures.”
| READ MORE: Where to Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday in Northeast Arkansas
Berry says Freedom Fest has become the biggest annual show he produces.
“There’s only one fireworks event I’ve ever been involved with that’s bigger than this, and that’s a national fireworks competition near St. Louis,” he said. “As far as regular fireworks shows go, this is the biggest one I’ve ever been a part of. It just keeps getting bigger and better every year, and I absolutely love doing it.”
This year’s show promises to be even more spectacular.
With organizers increasing the budget, Berry said spectators will notice larger shells, more dramatic aerial effects and several fireworks that even he has never seen fired before.
“We’ve increased the shell sizes on most of the show,” Berry explained. “We’ve got some American-made fireworks in the production, and we’ve got some special effects that actually change colors multiple times as they climb into the sky. I’ve never seen those before, and I’m excited to see them tonight.”
America 250 Freedom Fest is much more than a fireworks show.
The celebration begins at 4 p.m. with the America 250 Show & Shine outside First National Bank Arena. Classic cars, trucks, Jeeps, motorcycles, race cars, bicycles, go-karts and specialty vehicles will be on display. Admission is free whether you’re showing a vehicle or simply coming to admire them.
Inside the air-conditioned First National Bank Arena, families can enjoy inflatables and children’s activities presented by Hijinx, providing a cool place for youngsters to play throughout the afternoon.
Also inside the arena, competitors from around Northeast Arkansas will compete in the America 250 Cornhole Tournament, featuring Beginner and Advanced divisions with cash prizes and trophy boards.
At 7 p.m., the Delta Symphony Orchestra presents “An Orchestral Ode to 250 Years of America” inside the Fowler Center.
The orchestra’s patriotic performance celebrates America’s 250th birthday through music honoring the nation’s history and spirit. Tickets are $10, and concertgoers will have plenty of time to return outside before the fireworks begin.
Food trucks will be located throughout the campus, while concession stands and restrooms inside First National Bank Arena will remain open during the evening. Additional portable restrooms have also been placed throughout the viewing areas.
Admission to the fireworks is free. Parking is free.
Visitors may enter the Arkansas State campus from multiple directions, including Red Wolf Boulevard, Johnson Avenue, Aggie Road and other campus entrances.
Jonesboro Police officers, Arkansas State University Police officers and numerous volunteers will direct traffic before and after the event.
Organizers ask everyone to be patient as thousands of vehicles arrive and leave campus.
“Traffic should move relatively quickly,” said Trey Stafford, President and General Manager of Jonesboro Media Group. “With multiple entrances into campus and officers directing traffic, we expect everyone to get in and out efficiently. We simply ask people to be patient and follow the directions of officers and volunteers.”
The fireworks will be launched from the middle of the Arkansas State football practice field.
A yellow rope marks the required safety perimeter around the firing area.
Berry says that barrier is critical.
“We absolutely ask that no one cross that rope,” Berry said. “We cannot shoot this show with people inside that safety zone. We’d hate to have to delay or stop the show because someone entered the area, so please help us by staying outside the barrier.”
Personal fireworks are not permitted anywhere on the Arkansas State campus.
Jonesboro Police and Arkansas State University Police officers will patrol throughout the evening, and organizers say violations may result in citations or arrests.
The restrictions are designed to protect the thousands of families expected to gather for the community celebration.
Berry also offered one tip for spectators.
Because First National Bank Arena and nearby trees may partially block some of the lower fireworks effects, people watching from the south side of the arena or near the baseball stadium may want to bring lawn chairs and move a short distance away from their vehicles for the best view.
“Most of the show is very high aerial,” Berry said. “But there are a few lower effects that you’ll enjoy more if you’re not directly behind a building or a row of trees.”
Jonesboro Media Group and its predecessor companies have sponsored community fireworks celebrations in Northeast Arkansas for four decades, first in Paragould and now in Jonesboro. The radio group has partnered with KAIT-TV since 2005.
Today’s America 250 Freedom Fest is presented by All Clean Restoration Service, Arvest Bank, Barton’s, Hytrol Conveyor, Parrish Automotive and DNW, RightFiber, with the spectacular America 250 Grand Finale sponsored by Tommy’s Express Car Wash.
“This is more than a fireworks show,” Stafford said. “It’s our community coming together to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. We hope families will spend the afternoon and evening enjoying all the activities, then gather together at 9:30 as we light up the sky over Arkansas State.”
For one little boy from Paragould who grew up mesmerized by fireworks from the back of a Bronco, it’s another chance to do what he loves.
For thousands of families across Northeast Arkansas, it’s a chance to celebrate America together.
America 250 Freedom Fest
Saturday, July 4
Arkansas State University Campus
4:00 p.m. – America 250 Show & Shine
4:00 p.m. – Hijinx Kids’ Inflatables (Inside First National Bank Arena)
4:00 p.m. – America 250 Cornhole Tournament
7:00 p.m. – Delta Symphony Orchestra: An Orchestral Ode to 250 Years of America (Fowler Center)
7:00 p.m. – Food Trucks scattered through the parking lots
9:30 p.m. – America 250 Freedom Fest Fireworks Spectacular (music soundtrack on Jonesboro Media Group stations)
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