Sparks in the Park: Annual event provides family fun, fireworks show

Volunteer Jil Martin paints Kayla Jones' face Saturday, June 25, 2016 during the annual Sparks in the Park celebration at Four States Fairgrounds.
Volunteer Jil Martin paints Kayla Jones' face Saturday, June 25, 2016 during the annual Sparks in the Park celebration at Four States Fairgrounds.

Sparks in the Park was an all-day event of family fun Saturday, with an ice cream-eating contest, barnyard animals, photo booths, a car show and more-followed by live music and a fireworks extravaganza after dark.

Admission and parking were free for the yearly event that started at 4 p.m. and was put on by Texarkana, Ark., in conjunction with Townsquare Media.

Fine classic cars, Mustangs and Corvettes, lined the entrance to the fairgrounds Saturday afternoon, greeting patrons with their hoods up in the Hot Wheels and Cool Rides Car Show. Just up the walkway and in the grass sat The Punisher, a Monster Truck with a ladder leading to the rear-end of the truck where seats were available for children to sit in while parents took photos.

Red River Army Depot had a display of tanks on site that included a medi-vac, humvee and other armoured trucks.

photo

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Police officers stand near the cordoned off spot where a French soldier was stabbed in the throat in the busy commercial district of La Defense, outside Paris, Saturday May 25, 2013, and France's president said authorities are investigating any possible links with the recent slaying of a British soldier.(AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)

The Ag Learning Center held an ice cream-eating contest, providing a reprieve from the heat and putting smiles on children's faces. Next door was the barnyard, where facts were displayed on the crates of chickens, calves, pigs and goats.

Carla Starr of Fouke, Ark., stopped to take a photo of her husband, Paul Starr and little Gavin, who came to visit them for the summer. The Starrs said they were enjoying the fairgrounds as newcomers to the area. They just moved to Fouke and came to see the live music and fireworks display.

The Starrs said they are enjoying the Texarkana area so far.

"This is our first time coming out here to Sparks in the Park, and it's great," Carla Starr said. "We are having a lot of fun."

Bouncy castles, a rock-climbing wall and face-painting were set up to entertain the smaller children, as well.

People of all ages stopped frequently to beat the heat with misters that were placed along the concrete walkway winding around the center of the fairgrounds. Nearby vendors also served water, lemonade and snow cones to keep people hydrated. Adults could also grab a crisp, cold bottle of beer for $3 near the stage.

The alluring scent of various fair foods wafted throughout the park, where vendors offered goods ranging from corn dogs to funnel cakes-not to mention the Scottie's Grill food truck offering burgers, fries and more.

Dusty Rose Band's lead guitarist Billy Templeton could be seen setting up sound with the help of his nearby bandmates and wife and manager, Sandy Templeton. The band members were excited to say that they had just released a single called "Back to Texas" with a local radio station.

"We are excited and glad to be at Sparks in the Park for the second time," said Jason Springer, lead vocalist for the five-man southern rock band, as he and others unloaded a trailer near the stage where they were set to headline at 8 p.m.

Springer said another great local band, Relentless, who plays country music, would kick off the live music at 6 p.m.

Folks hung around the seats near the stage and in the shade, where one man said he was going to stay put and watch both bands and the fireworks display set for 9:30 p.m.

Upcoming Events