Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Short show because of rain results in 50 percent discount on next event

Gurdons fifth annual Independence Day celebration fireworks show was cut short July 4 at the high school stadium because of heavy rains, but Memphis Pyro Shows has agreed to give the fireworks committee a 50 percent credit on next years order, according to Pastor Jim Farris, of the First Assembly of God, was in charge of the fireworks again for 2006.

Farris said Thursday, July 6, the companys pyro-tech launched firecrackers for 7 minutes before rain made sending the rest of the displays to the sky impossible.

Farris said the pyro-tech was late getting started with the displays by around 45 minutes because of finishing other unexpected duties for his boss.

"It was a matter of circumstances beyond anyones control," Farris said. "So when I talked to the man in charge, from the Memphis, Tenn., company, he agreed to give Gurdon a 50 percent credit for next year."

Lynn Failla, director of the Century 21 grant program, which finances part of the cost of the fireworks, said the price of the 2006 display was approximately $3,100.

Intermittent rain fell all evening July 4, with approximately 200 people on hand waiting for the displays, either in their vehicles or on the football stadium bleachers. The short show began at approximately 9:45 p.m., just when a cloud burst had started.

If the show had been launched at 9 p.m. as scheduled, it would more than likely have been finished before the heavy rains came down, Farris said.

Jon Capps, president of the Gurdon Rotary, said, "It was unfortunate about the late start, but the small show we had was still impressive. I did not realize you could launch fireworks at all when it was raining."

Farris said despite the rain the pyro-tech was still able to fire half of the scheduled displays.

Allen Wimberly, Gurdon High School band director, was the master of ceremonies for the evening. He said the gospel group "Messengers of Song" brought their equipment and performed on stage in front of the stadium bleachers, but had to pack up a few minutes early because of the wet weather.

"We got stared with the music at about 6 p.m., but most of the audience got there between 7 and 7:30 p.m. Perhaps next year, we should start the music show about an hour before the fireworks are scheduled to go off," he said.

Wimberly stood in front of the bleachers and shouted winning ticket numbers for door prizes after "Messengers of Song" gospel group had to pack up electronic audio equipment because of the rain storm.

"I thought the show went well, considering the rain," Wimberly said.

As to the craft booths, the Future Farmers of America had firecrackers for sale, the Junior Prom Committee offered temporary tattoos, face painting and high school yearbooks, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission had a fish tank display. There were a few other booths set up.

Band boosters sold soft drinks for 25 cents and gave away two hot dogs per customer in order to use as many of the 500 free hot dogs as possible.

The hot dogs were donated by Rehkopfs Hometown Market, of Gurdon, for the second year in a row.