Mike Wolanin | The Republic A firework explodes behind the American flag during the QMIX Musical Fireworks celebration at the Ivy Tech campus in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, July 3, 2024.
On a celebratory night when Mother Nature’s predicted lightning originally was a concern, Premier Pyro flashily lit up the sky at Airpark Columbus Thursday to mark the July 4th holiday.
The festivities were a part of Columbus Regional Health Presents QMIX Musical Fireworks 34: Midwest Meltdown in front of a sizable spread of onlookers over the lawn of Ivy Tech Community College’s Moravec Hall on Poshard Drive. The gathering is is perhaps the largest single-day event in Bartholomew County. People bring lawn chairs, blankets, picnic baskets, horseshoe sets, cornhole games, sparklers and more.
Nashville residents Leslie Earlywine and Cole Mitchell were attending the event for the first time — and were fully prepared for the holiday happening to be, well, lit.
“I’ve never seen fireworks choreographed to music,” Earlywine said beforehand. “But I would think that it’s got to be pretty impressive.”
Well, what goes any better with a partying throng than a rocking song?
Twenty minutes of musical snippets played over the air on QMIX 107.3 FM Radio accompanied the seasonal spray, with hints of star shapes and more amid the patriotic pyrotechnics. As in most years in the past, Seymour native John Mellencamp worked his way into the mix that included a twist at the outset — a metal-themed national anthem by Metallica.
Also in the eclectic soundtrack were Beyoncé, Ray Charles, Toby Keith and Pharrell Williams. The gathering annually attracts thousands at the site and also at various streets and roads around the area.
A QMIX on-air crew coordinated a fast-paced, live remote as usual from the site.
“We’re having a blast,” said morning host Kylan Higgs, keeping with the evening’s fitting terminology.
The weather that turned from cloudy to clear felt early on like a blast — a blast furnace of sorts, with temperatures in the high 80s. At the Chocolate Moose vendor booth, ice cream and chilled lemon shake-ups helped attendees stay cool amid the stickiness. Jordan Davis, director of operations, acknowledged that demand was slow initially, but picked up as the crowd grew.
“It’s always fun being here,” Davis said.
At the Gamma Ray Lights booth for clothing and toys, Evan Dougherty was demonstrating the $20 Light-Up Bubble Blaster, blowing bubbles from a gun-like chamber as wide-eyed youngsters watched.
QMIX listeners Lindsay and Craig Benz attended their fifth musical fireworks, first catching Adam Schill’s magic show with their three children.
“We absolutely love all this,” Lindsay Benz said, preparing to walk toward the lineup of food and game vendors. “It’s good for the kids. And we always have a great time.”
