ASHLAND — The Rotary Club of Ashland is promising the city’s largest July 4th fireworks display ever.
Capping Ashland’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday, fireworks will be shot off for the third year from Freer Field at dusk July 4 and will wrap up a full day of festivities at the park.
“This year’s fireworks display will be the biggest ever in Ashland with double the number of shells, lasting about 27 minutes instead of the usual 20,” said Mitch Piskur, Rotary Club fireworks chair.
“We wanted to do something bigger and better to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.”
Once again, 88.9-WRDL, Ashland University’s community radio station, will be broadcasting live from Freer Field along with a synchronized fireworks soundtrack.
The fireworks pre-show begins at 9 p.m. and will conclude with the drawing of the winning ticket in the Rotary’s “Super Raffle.” The club is again selling super raffle tickets to help fund the annual fireworks display while building an endowment fund to assure its long-term future.
Tickets are $100 each, with a maximum of 150 tickets being sold. The pot could be worth up to $7,500 if all tickets sell. The winning-ticket drawing also will broadcast on the Rotary Club’s Facebook page, @ashlandohrotary, in addition to one 88.9-WRDL.
Raffle tickets can be purchased from Rotary Club members; online at ashlandrotary.net; at Armstrong Cable, 1215 Claremont Ave. or by emailing mpiskur1@gmail.com.
The deadline is July 4 at 5 p.m. The local Rotary Club has produced the community’s July 4th fireworks display for more than 40 years. This year’s presenting sponsor is Sarver Paving, along with Ashland Eagles #2178 and more than three dozen other sponsors.
“A big thank you to all our sponsors who really came through this year to make this celebration special. We couldn’t do it without their continuing support,” Piskur said.
The rain date is July 5.