The Moorhead Business Association recruits volunteers to help with crowd control, keeping spectators out of the fireworks blast zone. (Photos/Alisha Nelson.)
Nancy Edmonds Hanson
The loudest, flashiest night of the Moorhead year is coming up Tuesday, when the city and its neighbors will pop open the lawn chairs and spread blankets on the grass to take in the 50th annual 4th of July fireworks extravaganza.
Sponsored since 2016 by the Moorhead Business Association, the Moorhead Proud 5656OOH AAH celebration draws all eyes to the east side of the city. There, RES Pyro of Minneapolis will begin loading the largest shells possible into mortar tubes in Horizon Shores Park, setting up the scene that will explode as the skies darken between 10:20 and 10:30 p.m.
“That’s weather permitting,” MBA executive director Sheri Larson cautions. “If the weather doesn’t cooperate, they’ll hold back until the Fire Department, the police and the National Weather Service give the go-ahead. Once the shells are loaded, there’s no going back.”
The pyrotechnics company has, at the MBA’s behest, selected the highest-flying and flashiest rockets possible for this area. That’s a change from the early days of the annual display, when spectators watched ground displays as well as soaring splashes of fire from the bleachers at MSUM’s Alex Nemzek Field.
“People have told us in past years that they can see the display from miles out of town,” Larson says. “We can’t even estimate how many people will be watching – thousands and thousands and thousands, we know.”
Many of those dazzled spectators will take in the display from their own yards or boulevards in Horizon Shores and surrounding areas. Others will watch from their cars in one of three VIP parking areas, where they can enjoy more attractions, slake their appetites and entertain the kids as they wait for the sun to slo-o-o-wly set.
The three special sites are at the Moorhead High School Career Academy, Horizon Middle School, and Axis Clinicals on Highway 10. Admission to the three high-visibility spots is $10 per car, with proceeds earmarked for several charitable causes.
At the middle school, the Moorhead Legacy Education Foundation welcomes families beginning at 7:30 p.m. to the area south of the school at 3600 12th Ave. S. Food vendors will be available, along with lawn games and other pastimes. The proceeds go to the foundation’s scholarships and other programs supporting Moorhead public schools.
The Lotus Center is hosting the parking party at the Moorhead Career Academy, 2800 27th Ave. The center, which works with adults in recovery, plans to have a bounce house and ice cream truck on the site beginning at 6 p.m.
First-time host Axis Clinicals, 1711 Center Ave. in Dilworth, promises games, gift bags and a dessert truck to keep kids and adults occupied until the fireworks begin. Proceeds from the event are earmarked for local charity Bridging the Gap.
MBA volunteers will patrol Horizon Shores Park to keep the curious away from the blasting zone – an essential precaution to keep them safe. The MBA’s Larson also cautions spectators to find parking away from the homes in the neighborhood and respect people’s private property. Both 24th Avenue and 40th Street will be blocked off for the duration.
In the interest of safety, personal fireworks and alcohol are strictly banned from the event.
While a dozen and a half MBA members have already signed up for the safety patrol, Larson notes that another half dozen or so would be very welcome. To steo up, give her a call at (218) 284-4643.
According to the MBA director, much of the cost of staging the colorful display that highlights the community’s summer is covered by businesses and community organizations … but a gap remains. “We hope people who enjoy this celebrated 4th of July tradition will contribute to help us cover the balance that remains,” she said Monday. “We want to keep this a free event for the whole community.”
Donations can be made by scanning the QR code in the MBA’s ad in this edition of the Extra or on the Moorhead Business Association’s Facebook page. It will also be displayed prominently on signs that will ring the area.
