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| Drexel celebrates 50 years of fireworks |
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| News | |||
| Written by Kristen Waggener | |||
| Wednesday, 01 July 2009 08:00 | |||
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For 50 years, Herbie Thomas has been the go-to man when it comes to fireworks in Drexel, Mo. “I’ve enjoyed it, and each year seems to be a challenge,” the 74-year-old said of his fireworks duty. Thomas and Larry Todd started the local fireworks display 50 years ago because the Lions Club wanted to put on a patriotic Independence Day show. “The first year was a real small show,” he said. “We enjoyed it, and the crowd enjoyed it, and we just kept building bigger and bigger.” Thomas said the Lions Club shoots off several aerial fireworks every year, but the crowning jewels of the show are pieces the group sets up to look like a different object each year. “There’s a lot of work to it,” he said. “We do a flag every year, we do something for the kids normally, and we draw it out to make it to where they can recognize it.” This year, the group plans to do an image encouraging residents to support U.S. troops. In addition, Thomas said, the group plans to make a set piece in the shape of a tornado, knocking down a “tree” or two in the process to commemorate the recent windstorm that knocked down trees and covered streets in debris. “I didn’t think I’d ever be doin’ it that long when I started,” Thomas said. The show begins at dusk Saturday in H.T. Smith Park. Thomas and four other Lions Club members — C.W. Marsh, Sody Guey, Kenneth Hatten and Gene Allen — will be honored with dedicated service awards at 1 p.m. Drexel also has numerous family activities planned Saturday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of fireworks in the park. Breakfast will be served from 7 to 9 a.m., and activities begin at 10:30 a.m. with a parade down Main Street. At 10:45 a.m., a pee-wee off-road dirt-bike race will begin, followed by the adults’ race at noon. A dunk tank and inflatables will be offered from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Live entertainment is set throughout the day, including the Robinson puppet show and Robinson wood carving. Live music by The RoadMasters is set from 5 to 9 p.m. Also on the schedule are watermelon and hot-dog eating contests. For attendees interested in a good meal, barbecue sandwiches will be served for lunch, and barbecue chicken, ribs and hot dogs will be available after 4 p.m. The celebration is sponsored by the Lions Club and the city.
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