Rincon’s Freedom Rings celebration will be set to tune of fireworks again this year.
City council members have approved a contract with Effingham County-based Falcon Fireworks for $15,185 for the annual Independence Day event. The fireworks show will be held July 1.
Last year’s crowd topped several thousand at Freedom Park for the city’s first fireworks display.
“They do a top-notch show,” said city planner LaKeisha Kelly.
Said Rincon Mayor Ken Lee: “They did a really good show.”
City council members also approved a $500 sponsorship for this weekend’s Olde Effingham Day festival, to be held Saturday at the Living History Site in Springfield.
The city council also agreed to a sponsorship pact with the Effingham Chamber of Commerce for its seventh annual Oktoberfest. The event will be held Sept. 23-24 at Freedom Park.
“We’ve grown so much from that little piece of land on McCall Road,” said Chamber executive director Rick Lott. “We appreciate the city working with us the past few years.”
The Lewis and Clark Circus is coming to Freedom Park from April 22-24, with shows at 5 and 7:30 p.m. on April 22, 4:30 and 7 on the 23rd and 2 and 4:30 p.m. on the 24th. Tickets for adults are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets for children are $6. Two kids ages 13 and under get in with each paid adult admission.
The maximum capacity for each show is $500, and the city has waived all rental fees in exchange for a portion of the ticket sales proceeds.
“It will push us to sell advanced tickets,” said council member Paul Wendelken.
City attorney Raymond Dickey said the Lewis and Clark Circus came to Bloomingdale last year and also provided tickets so underprivileged kids could attend.
Wendelken also backed having events such as the circus at Freedom Park.
“I think it’s a wonderful idea,” council member Reese Browher said of the circus.