July 4th Celebration
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Spectators watched from the comfort of their lawn chairs as fireworks whizzed and popped above Batesville for the city’s third annual Fourth of July Celebration. The Panolian photo by Glennie Pou
Entertaining the crowd at the Batesville Fourth of July Celebration at the Civic Center Saturday afternoon were hometown musicians (from left) Ira Gail White, Calvin Flint, Ronnie Morrow, Steve Brown and Buddy Bickerstaff. The band is called Lighthorse Harry, honoring another Batesville musician, the late Harry McKittrick. The Panolian photo by Glennie Pou
By Jason C. Mattox
Batesville’s third annual Fourth of July Celebration at the Batesville Civic Center was a resounding success, according to BCC Director Roy Hyde.
“Our crowd has grown from year to year, and that trend continued for us,” he said.
Hyde estimated the crowd size to have been 3,000.
“I firmly believe this was the best fireworks display we have ever had even though it was shorter,” he said.
The Lighthorse Harry Band performed at 6:30 followed by Electric Rodeo at 8 p.m.
The fireworks show began at 10 o’clock.
Hyde said approximately half the crowd showed up just prior to the fireworks show.
“Typically, people don’t start rolling in until dark, but we had about 1,500 there to see Lighthorse Harry and take advantage of the games and rides,” he said.
Hyde said the addition of the carnival games and monster truck rides improved the overall event.
“We still had people in line for rides up to an hour after the fireworks were over,” he said. “We have received nothing but positive feedback from those in attendance.”
Sponsors of the event included the City of Batesville, Covenant Bank, First Security Bank, High Tech Special Effects, and The Panolian.
