City preps for Fourth of July celebration

Alex Gladden, Fort Smith Times Record
·2 min read
Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. on the Fourth of July at Harry E. Kelley River Park.
Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. on the Fourth of July at Harry E. Kelley River Park.

Mayor George McGill said there has been a Fort Smith fireworks show for as long as he can remember.

“It’s taken on a life of its own," McGill said. "It’s one of the most anticipated public events in the River Valley, and people come from all over the region to enjoy the fireworks display that we will put on."

The free event will begin at 5 p.m. with a show by DJ Grand Master P at the Harry E. Kelley River Park. At 7 p.m. the band Who Shot JR will perform, and at 8:30 p.m. RaeLynn, a two-time American Country Music New Female Vocalist Nominee, will headline the event, said Russ Jester, a marketing director for the Convention & Visitors Bureau.

RaeLynn will perform at 8:30 p.m. on the Fourth of July at the Harry E. Kelley River Park.
RaeLynn will perform at 8:30 p.m. on the Fourth of July at the Harry E. Kelley River Park.

The fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. The River Valley Community Band will perform patriotic music throughout the fireworks show.

Jester expects at least 10,000 people to attend the celebration. There will also be food trucks and yard games for the children.

For McGill, the Fourth of July celebration is a reminder of the freedoms that Americans have.

“Fourth of July celebrations all over the country are a significant day where we celebrate the nation of freedom, and then that freedom over arches who we are," McGill said. "It’s that freedom it gives us a chance to take advantage of the great opportunities that comes in a nation like the United States."

McGill said the Fourth of July is a celebration of the American dream.

“Many around the world risk their lives daily to come to the United States, where your dreams can become reality," McGill said "Hard work, understanding that there are going to be challenges and difficulties along the way, but most who stay the course find it the best place in the world to live."

He lastly pointed out that the nation is united under the flag, no matter how different Americans might be.

“For me personally whenever I see the flag, it reminds me that, it resonates with me that we are one nation under God, and we are indivisible, in spite of our differences, we are indivisible, and we should all fight for freedom and justice and liberty for all of us," McGill said.

Alex Gladden is a University of Arkansas graduate. She previously reported for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and The Jonesboro Sun before joining the Times Record. She can be contacted at agladden@swtimes.com.  

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Fort Smith to have Fourth of July celebration