Bigger than ever

The fireworks show at Jay County Fairgrounds was canceled, but two other local shows are set to be bigger than ever.

Redkey and Dunkirk’s firework shows received several thousand more dollars to use after the Jay County 4th of July Committee announced June 3 all Independence Day activities in Portland were cancelled. 

Redkey’s fireworks budget doubled to about $10,000, said Randy Young, a town employee as well as a junior league coach and concession worker at Redkey Morgan Park. 

The community will host its annual Firecracker junior league baseball and softball tournament at Morgan Park starting at 6 p.m. tonight and continuing Saturday from 8 a.m. to about 9 p.m. Following the awards ceremony, the fireworks show will begin.

Young will be among nine certified individuals shooting off fireworks as part of the Redkey show.

“Come and enjoy,” Young said. “It’s going to be the biggest firework show Redkey has ever done.”

Dunkirk also received an extra $10,000 — $5,000 each from the Jay County Commissioners and The Portland Foundation, said Dunkirk Mayor Jack Robbins.

“With the COVID going on, we only got to do one boot drive, so the funding was kind of tight,” Robbins said.

“The money that Portland kicked in this year really, really made a big difference for the Dunkirk show.”

Robbins said the crew ordered extra fireworks this year because it expects a bigger crowd. He said there will be more fireworks, meaning a longer show, and bigger fireworks than normal. The show in Dunkirk will begin at dusk at the city park. 

Events in communities outside of Jay County include:

Winchester — Fireworks show will begin at dusk at Goodrich Park, 700 N. Union St. There will also be food vendors and musical entertainment.

Muncie — Two fireworks shows are scheduled this weekend. The first show will start at 10 p.m. July 4 at Muncie Central High School, and the second show will begin at dark July 5 at Prairie Creek Reservoir.

Minnetrista — There will be no July 4 activities this year, but community members are welcome to view the July 4 show from Minnetrista grounds.

Decatur — Two bands will be playing on Madison Street from 3 to 6 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Following the American Legion Post 43 tribute for fallen soldiers, fireworks will start about 10 p.m. at Riverside Center.

Bluffton — Fireworks will begin at 10 p.m. from the WEG industry parking lot, which is north of the Boys & Girls Club on Wayne Street. The street will be closed from Spring Street to Indiana 116.

Fort Wayne — Fireworks show will begin at 10 p.m. at Indiana Michigan Power Center.

Debbie James, clerk-treasurer in Redkey, said she hopes social distancing guidelines can be followed.

“I just hope the people come out and do support,” James said. “I hate it with this COVID going on because I don’t know how it’s going to be.”

Robbins said he thinks residents are ready to get out of the house and enjoy themselves.

“We hope they come from Portland and Redkey (for our show), and when Redkey lights their (fireworks)  off, I’m sure people from Portland and Dunkirk will go see theirs,” Robbins said. “It’s going to be an exciting 4th of July for Jay County.”