Thousands of people attended the annual Arnold Independence Day Celebration on June 28 at Arnold City Park, said Dave Crutchley, director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.
“It was fantastic,” he said. “The weather cooled down just in time. At 2 p.m. it was miserable, but (the celebration) didn’t start until 5 p.m., and a cool front came through and the place just filled up. It was the busiest we’ve ever seen it down there. There were probably 4,000 to 5,000. You couldn’t move in the park.”
Gateway Pyrotechnic Productions put on an impressive fireworks show, which started about 9 p.m., Crutchley said.
“We’ve had people talking about how great it was. It was about a 16-minute show, and the grand finale was just great,” he said.
The celebration also included numerous vendors, live music and other activities.
“The vendors did well; they had lines all night,” Crutchley said.
Joe Dirt and the Dirty Boys Band played both before and after the fireworks show.
“The band has been a staple (at the annual celebration). They’re always good,” Crutchley said. “ The band plays the rock and roll everybody loves to hear. They were great.”
Crutchley said another highlight of the night was a ceremony with a rifle salute the Marine Corps League Jeffco Detachment 707 put on. The group also helped with a flag-folding demonstration.
“We had thousands of people there, with all kinds of things going on, and when we announced (the ceremony was going to start), you could hear a pin drop. (Jeffco Detachment members) said they’ve never been somewhere where everyone was so respectful. Everybody just stopped for it. That was very cool.”
Two bald eagles were brought to the event, and attendees could have their photos taken with them.
“That was a huge hit; people loved that,” Crutchley said.
A pie-eating contest went well, as did other contests and activities, he said.
“It was really a great night,” Crutchley added.
He said the city holds the fun-filled celebration each year for the community, and any proceeds are used to help fund the next one.
Other area celebrations
July Fourth celebrations will be held in Hillsboro and De Soto on Friday. At 6 p.m. that day, a fireworks show will be held at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 10349 Business 21, in Hillsboro. At 10 a.m. on Friday, a parade will be held along Main Street in De Soto, starting near Mahn Funeral Home. Then around dusk, a fireworks show will be held at the baseball field behind De Soto High School.
Then, on Saturday, Big River VFW Post 5331, at 1 Lynn Lane in Cedar Hill, will hold an Independence Day celebration starting at noon, with food and music. Fireworks will start at dusk.
St. Pius X Catholic High School in Crystal City already held an Independence Day celebration, on June 26, and the First Baptist Church of Arnold held one on June 28.
The Twin City Firecracker Festival was held June 27-28, with most activities at Larry G. Crites Memorial Park in Festus.