The City of Owensboro is looking into an alternative site rather than using Thompson-Berry Park as one of several locations for Friday’s All-American Fourth of July fireworks show after several concerns from citizens about the site’s proximity to the Owensboro Humane Society.
Officials said they are working with other nearby sites in order for that area of the City to still be covered by the event, and they hope to finalize a plan and make an announcement soon.
In addition to worried animal owners, the City has also heard from several veterans concerned with fireworks being set off in multiple locations across Owensboro.
Director of Public Events Tim Ross said they understood the concerns from the community and that there is no easy solution. He said in order to minimize the effect, the City tried to give plenty of notice so people could make alternative plans, plus the show is less than 15 minutes this year.
“We were just trying to come up with something that the city can still unite together. Normally, the entire community comes down to the riverfront from every neighborhood, as well as lots of visitors,” he said. “We can’t do that, so in order to keep everybody spread apart this was a good opportunity. We realize it has an impact on those communities, but we’re trying to minimize that as much as we can and take as much of the community as we can into account.”
Fireworks will be launched simultaneously in numerous locations within City limits at 9:15 p.m. Friday. The 10-12 minute show will be shorter in duration than the normal riverfront event in order to accommodate the multiple locations.
The fireworks show will also be launched from seven other locations around Owensboro: Centre Court, Owensboro Sportscenter/Moreland Park, Southern Little League, the former Owensboro Health hospital, the former GE plant, and the Ohio River in downtown Owensboro. Owensboro Country Club will also synchronize its display to coincide with the other shows.
Those who decide to view from a parking lot or area near a launch location are asked to maintain social distancing from other families.
Spectators can tune in to 92.5 FM WBKR to listen to the soundtrack to which the fireworks have been choreographed.
For the safety of the public and the pyrotechnic professionals, the secure fireworks launch sites will not be open to the public. People attempting to watch from the launch sites will cause the fireworks at that location to be halted.
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