It’s the nation’s semiquincentennial—or 250th—anniversary, and local leaders are looking for ways to make this year’s downtown celebration and fireworks display more memorable than usual.
On Tuesday, the Henderson City Commission approved $10,000 funding to add to the annual Chamber of Commerce celebration that occurs on July 3 each year.
Henderson Municipal Gas will sponsor the fireworks display at its base level, which this year has a price tag of $17,500, up from $15,000 last year. HMG, as a natural gas company, has a federal requirement to run a public awareness campaign, said City Manager Dylan Ward. The city commission approved HMG’s funding.
Additionally, earlier on Tuesday, the Henderson County Fiscal Court also approved $10,000 funding for the celebration.
Chamber Executive Director Clay Gillham said both the city and Henderson County Government are interested in looking for ways to mark the occasion. She said discussions have included providing giveaway mementos such as coins and pens as well as having photo opportunities.
Gillham also mentioned looking into having a drone show in addition to the fireworks display, but learned it would cost a bit too much for this year’s event.
We’re “really looking for some input and support on how we can partner on how we can make this a bigger, better event,” Gillham said.
Henderson Mayor Brad Staton said the money from the city and the county will go toward adding different pieces to the celebration and making the fireworks show bigger and better.
Additionally, Staton said the city is planning to have the fireworks shot off from a barge anchored in the river because the explosives can’t be shot off within 560 feet from a distillery, the Rhythm River Distillery. He said the front hillside of the riverfront will be used for seating.
Other ideas are placing 250th commemorative anniversary flags placed in flagpoles, a band to play music and a singer for the national anthem, the mayor said.
“We’re looking to do some really cool touches,” Staton said.
Ward said the city is looking for other ideas, and residents can submit them.
Tim Clayton, HMG’s gas system director, said the utility will use the sponsorship as a way to get in front of the thousands of people who head downtown each year for the Independence Day celebration, and one of its top awareness campaigns is about the 811 phone number, a requirement for people to call before digging so that they may learn where pipelines are located underground.
Chamber asks city for year-round Sunset District with longer hours
Gillham requested that the Sunset District be allowed to operate year-round on Thursday, Friday and Saturday with extended hours 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Currently, the Sunset District is opened “during the days/times sanctioned by a permitted event,” according to the city’s website. When it is opened, people can carry Sunset District cups of an alcoholic beverage within the permitted area downtown as they go from permitted licensed alcohol vender, according to the website.
The Sunset District is normally opened for events in the downtown area, many of which are functions sponsored by the Chamber. One example is the Art Hop in the fall.
The Sunset District is closed during some downtown festivals when those organizers attempt to get as much liquor and beer sales at their beer gardens, which allows the events to make as much money possible in support of their event. For example, the W.C. Handy Blues and Barbecue Festival has a beer garden with sales that go toward funding the festival.
Gillham said downtown merchants, retailers and restaurants believe that the Sunset District is starting to gain traction. She said the expanded hours and year-round requests came from downtown business owners in a recent meeting.
City commissioners were OK with the proposed expansions. Ward said the proposal can move forward with the chamber filling out a special event annual permit application through Dec. 31.
In other news:
- Bobbie Puttman was recognized for 25 years working for the city, 23 of those years in the Public Works Department. She praised Public Works Director Brian Williams and the staff she works with daily, saying they are loyal, knowledgeable, dependable and dedicated to doing a good job.
- The city proclaimed April 24 to be Arbor Day. An Arbor Day celebration will be at 4 p.m. April 24 at Newman Park when staff will plant a willow tree. The city of Henderson has also been named a “Tree City USA” for 30 years running, said Parks and Recreation staff at the meeting.
- The city also proclaimed April as “Fair Housing Month.”
