On July 3, the sky over Ephram White Park will be lit with fireworks from the annual Hayward Minton Thunderfest Fireworks Show and Music Festival.
In its 55th year, Thunderfest has gone beyond being one of South Central Kentucky’s premier fireworks shows. Alongside providing family-friendly fun, it serves as the biggest fundraiser for its organizer, the Kiwanis Club.
A 100-year-old global organization, the Kiwanis Club aims to help children in their community through service projects, fundraisers and donations.
“Our mission is to serve children one community at a time,” said president of the Bowling Green chapter and Thunderfest co-chair Rod Hutcheson.
While most fireworks shows are typically funded by a city or county, Thunderfest is solely funded by the Kiwanis Club and its sponsors. Over the last 20 years, the Bowling Green chapter has put in over a million dollars back into South Central Kentucky youth and children’s organizations, from Kids on the Block to the Fancy Jordan Foundation.
At 25 dollars a car, attendees can enjoy various food trucks and local vendors, as well as a free Kids Zone. Country artist and The Voice contestant Gracee Shriver will be this year’s Entertainment Headliner, part of the five hours of live music from local and regional acts.
With the national America 250 anniversary centering this year’s Independence Day celebration, Hutcheson said the event won’t have many substantial changes since it has always been about celebrating America. However, in line with past years, they will be having a special veteran’s flag presentation to a local married veteran couple.
Hutcheson said he hopes that attendees don’t just take away how fortunate they are to live in America, but how organizations like the Kiwanis Club impact the community.
“Join us and enjoy the kids zone, enjoy the music, enjoy the vendors, enjoy the food trucks and the fireworks,” he said. “So let us, let us have your money to help support our community.”
Outside of Thunderfest, residents can also see fireworks at:
- July 4th Fireworks at Beech Bend Park, 8 p.m.
- Bowling Green Hot Rods 4th of July Spectacular, starts at 6 p.m. with fireworks at 9:30.
