(Atlantic) The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Park Advisory Commission is organizing a major event on July 4 at Sunnyside Park, culminating in a traditional fireworks show featuring Dan Vargason at Steve Andersen’s Bike Farm on Olive Street, north of Atlantic. Steve mentioned that the fireworks display began about six years ago, starting with approximately 50 attendees and growing to 600 participants last Fourth of July. The event is expected to expand further with the Park and Recreation Commission’s inaugural “Freedom Festival” at Sunnyside Park.
Ali Pieken from the Park and Recreation Commission stated that the festivities will start at 5:00 p.m. in lower Sunnyside Park, near the swimming pool and the new splash pad.
The event will feature various activities, including a hot dog eating contest, a live band, a Blackstone grill-off competition, and a slow-pitch tournament at the Sunnyside Park diamond. Other attractions include face painting, balloon animals, spray foam, bingo, and more.
Pieken noted a strong interest in the hot dog eating contest, which will have two age brackets: 14-17 and 18 and over. She also mentioned that Gregg Young has generously agreed to sponsor all the face painting activities for the day, and Hy-Vee has kindly sponsored the meat for the grill-off.
The activities at Sunnyside Park will conclude around 9:00 p.m., allowing attendees to head to the Little League Complex to watch Dan Vargason’s fireworks display at the Bike Farm on Olive Street, north of Atlantic.
Pieken added that more information about signing up for the Burger Battle and the Hot Dog Eating Contest will be provided later. Additionally, they are seeking more sponsors for the event.
Click Here to sign up for the Slow Pitch Tournament
The entire interview with Steve Andersen, Ali Pieken, and Dan Vargason is posted below:
