Largest fireworks display in the area

It promises to be another great Fourth of July event at Engler Park this year. The evening will be filled with music and food and capped off with the largest fireworks display in the region.

Entertainment this year will be by the band Usual Suspects, a group from St. Louis but with local ties. Music will begin around 7 p.m.

The Downtown Development Association will be selling refreshments at the soccer pavilions in the park. The refreshments stand will open around 5:30 p.m. and continue through the evening. The menu will include pizza, hot dogs, soda and Schwan’s ice cream available for purchase.

The light show will kick off at about 9:15 p.m. “This will be the biggest (fireworks) display for Farmington and the surrounding area, possibly even Southeast Missouri,” said Bill Towler, director of the Farmington Civic Center and Water Park. The fireworks will be provided by a company from Ozark, Mo.

This year’s Independence Day celebration will have a new twist. City officials are asking that visitors bring along a small donation of canned goods to be given to the food pantries of the community. Volunteers will be set up near the entrance to Engler Park to collect the donated food items. The food items will go directly to the food pantries to help feed needy families in the community.

Participants are encouraged to take lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy the family atmosphere throughout the evening.