Star Spangled Springfield Preparations Start Today
SPRINGFIELD — There are firing tubes to load and a stage to set up to make July 4 a Star Spangled Springfield 250th celebration. After months of planning and coordination, the physical work begins today, July 2.
From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., teams from Fireworks by Grucci and the Springfield Department of Public Works will begin to load firing tubes onto three flatbed trailers provided by the Joseph Freedman Co. and Affordable Waste Solutions, and delivered by Charlie Arment Trucking. The tubes are metal and inserted into racks. When the trailers are moved to the Memorial Bridge on Friday, July 3 at 11 p.m., they will then be loaded with fireworks. They are then wired to a panel that the lead pyrotechnician will use to electronically fire with precision and to the exact specifications designed for the show, which is coordinated to music that will be broadcast on Mix 93.1 FM.
On July 3 at 9 a.m., a tractor trailer will deliver a 40-by-40-foot covered stage to Riverfront Park for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s July 4 performances. Most of the day will be spent erecting the stage and then installing the lighting and sound components. This will continue on Saturday, July 4, with fine tuning to be done during the orchestra’s rehearsal from 2 to 5 p.m.
On July 4, festivities in Riverfront Park will begin at 6 p.m. with food vendors, face painters, and activities with the Springfield Armory National Historic Site. At 7 p.m., following welcoming remarks, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra will take the stage in Festival Field, followed by the fireworks display from the Memorial Bridge at 9:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the festivities in Riverfront Park.
