Memorial Stadium fireworks thrill crowds

Vendors under red, white and blue tents sold Kettle corn, Polish sausage and Hawaiian shaved ice while bands entertained the crowd that began filling the north lot of Memorial Stadium on Tuesday night for the Amvets Post 2000 Independence Day Fireworks show. \nAmvets, along with other Veterans organizations, celebrates Independence day by hosting family gatherings and fireworks.\nDavid Cobb, chairman of the fireworks committee, said the entire event is paid for through donations and costs around $35,000. He said the fireworks display, which is provided by Sky Magic Pyrotechnics, is one of the biggest in the state and uses about $25,000 worth of fireworks. \nAbout 50,000 to 60,000 people attend the event every year, he said. \n“Whether you donate or not,” Cobb said. “You’ll have a good time.” \nCobb said the fireworks display was held the day before the Fourth of July because of daylight-savings time. Cobb explained that he didn’t want families to get home late and have to work the next day. \n“We’re celebrating Independence Day, not the Fourth of July,” Cobb said. \nMark and Yvonne Freeman and their son Ryan were busy for most of the night conducting their family’s John Deere tractor-powered train ride. Yvonne said they had just bought the train the night before in Kentucky and felt it would be a good addition to the event. \nThe Freemans own a farm that opens every October for pumpkin-picking and hay rides. Mark Freeman said because of their experiences with the pumpkin farm, he knew the train ride would be an instant hit with the children. Yvonne Freeman said her husband enjoys entertaining children. \n“He lives for this,” she said. “We call him our entertain-ment director.” \nRyan, 10, conducted the train around the parking lot of the stadium as younger children filled the seven train cars behind him. Ryan said navigating the train was really fun, and he is looking forward to doing it again. \n“I just asked my dad (to conduct the train),” Ryan said, “and he was too big to get in it.” \nBloomington City Councilman David Sabbagh and U.S. Rep. Baron Hill, D-9th, were among the crowd, and both gave short speeches before bands covering varying genres of music took the stage. Hill explained how important the holiday is for the men and women fighting overseas and how the residents of Bloomington need to “carry on the idea of freedom.” \nMike Williams, owner of Sky Magic Pyrotechnics, was setting up the fireworks prior to shooting them off at 10:15 p.m. The whole display lasted between 20 and 30 minutes, and each blast differed depending on the size of the shell. \n“We just try to light up the sky,” Williams said.