BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The City of Bentonville is prepared to retry plans for an exciting evening at Orchards Park after storms interrupted the Independence Day celebration.
Communities across Northwest Arkansas were ready for fireworks in the sky on July 4, 2024, but many like Jon Cook and his family came to learn Thursday night that they were in for a different kind of light show.
"As we were in the restaurant, the skies just opened up. All the rain came, and so we decided to cancel it and didn't go back. I heard the whole thing got canceled last night anyway," Cook said.
While the weather and postponement surprised many, Josh Stacey of the city's parks and recreation department said they always keep their eye on the weather every year.
"About a week out is when we start to make contingency plans," said Stacey.
Stacey explained that it was the first time in his 13 years that they'd postponed the show. He added that the city always contracts the fireworks company for an extra day in case of cancellations. This year, that means the Evening at Orchards Park will merge with another big celebration, July's First Friday event in Downtown Bentonville.
"Things are going to be just as what they would have been on July 4. There are going to be food trucks at Orchards Park. There's going to be music at Orchard Park as well. So it's the perfect blend of starting at First Friday and then ending with the firework display that will make everyone in Northwest Arkansas proud," Aaron Nolan of Downtown Bentonville Inc. said.
"It's gonna be great. I really am grateful they postponed it. I think last night would have been tough. So happy that is still on," Cook said.
The city said they'd like everyone to join in on the fun at First Friday as the main event, but they'll be ready at Orchards Park starting at 7 p.m. They explained that it'll be a lot like the celebration planned for Thursday, but there will be a DJ playing in Orchards Park rather than live music. Fireworks are set to take off at 9:30 p.m. on Friday.
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