Heavy rains were forecast to take place on Thursday, July 4, causing many area cities and the organizations that sponsor or organize local Fourth of July celebrations to cancel or reschedule their events. Hastings was one of the few events that happened rain or shine, but the Cottage Grove Lions opted to move the event to Sunday, July 7 rather than risk the rain dampening the spirit of the celebration, a move that seemed to work out exceptionally well.
Thousands of area residents occupied Kingston Park and the surrounding school fields for a record turnout at the Fourth of July celebration. Earlier in the evening, the Lions Club gave away several bikes to lucky kids then needed to make a run for more food just an hour into the event, ultimately selling more than 500 hotdogs and 500 burgers to hungry visitors. Mik Mart was on hand with two vans for frozen treats and they probably could have had two or three more with the number of people there. The grilled corn on the cob stand was handing out ears of corn as fast as they could with a line of over 50 deep. The best part was the lines were moving at a decent pace with the volunteers rocking all their cooking and prep stations.
Cottage Grove emergency vehicles were on hand for folks to explore and many of the EMS crew members were talking to folks all night about a variety of things related to public safety and the tools they have to serve area residents. They even allowed this old guy reporter to climb up the back of the fire truck for an elevated photo opportunity thanks to Mayor Myron Bailey.
The fireworks were scheduled to begin at 10 p.m., but they normally start around 10:05 to 10:10 and just as that was explained to some kind teenagers out enjoying the fireworks without their parents, the show started in that window. The show was excellent and well worth the drive. The one mistake made as a photographer? Being too close to the action with the equipment for that night, but being there in person the view was spectacular and the fireworks covered the sky.
The length of the show was perfect and the pace just as good. So perfect, there was no true notice of the exact time things started or ended.
Enjoy a few of the firework’s pictures from the night here. Additional photos can be found as part of the online story at www.cottagegrovejournal.news