First ever ‘Fireworks Over the Square’ in Gainesville was booming success
The fireworks show was launched from the ridge across Highway 160 from the square and rodeo grounds. Sheena Taylor shared this photo showing some of the many vehicles lined up for the display.
Drone photo by Ed Doiron This photo, taken before nightfall Friday, July 4, shows some of the many vehicles that gathered around the square and nearby Gainesville Saddle Club ahead of the rodeo and “Fireworks Over the Square” event.
Drone photo by Ed Doiron The launch site for the fireworks show is on top of the ridge facing Gainesville. In this photo, workers with Foggy Bottom Fireworks work to set up the many racks of mortars before the event, while the town of Gainesville, square and Ozark County Courthouse can be seen in the background.
Gainesville’s first-ever “Fireworks Over the Square” lit up the night sky July 4 as hundreds gathered downtown for a celebration that blended small-town charm with a big-time spectacle. The event, organized by the Ozark County Chamber of Commerce, is the first professional fireworks show to come to Gainesville in recent memory - maybe ever, organizers say.
The spectacular display by Foggy Bottom Fireworks, a company owned by Pontiac residents Kirk and Segri Stephens, was made possible thanks to the behind-the-scenes work of many, according to Doug Hawkins with the Chamber.
“We want to send out a big thank you to the city of Gainesville for allowing it to happen, as well as the landowners who let us use their property for a launching site. Those were big obstacles to the planning, as we needed the ability to do it and the location,” Hawkins said. “Once we got that, we basically raised $10,000 in six weeks.”
Hawkins said the Chamber reached out to more than a dozen local business to see if they’d be interested in helping financially sponsor such an event.
“Every single one of them jumped at the opportunity without hesitation and went above and beyond the typical sponsorships,” he said. In addition to the sponsorships, the rest of the money was raised through a gun raffle. The Chamber had 200 tickets to sell for $25 each for the raffle, which gave the winners their choice of three firearms (see winners, page 6). “I had 16 tickets left last Thursday... went to Lions Club and sold all but eight. Then the owner of 160 Pit Stop came in and made a donation to cover the rest of the tickets,” he said.
“And of course, Foggy Bottom Fireworks, to have them local, is amazing.”
Hawkins said there were also several community members who offered help to help overcome last minute issues. “Things like Drew Dreckman stepping up and brush hogging a larger area of the field [at the launch site] when it was needed that day. And Sheriff Cass Martin, who was on his way to put a sign up on Highway 160 to warn about the traffic and blew out a tire. Ray Grisham fixed it so he could get the sign up. There were lots of things like that...”
Many local residents have commented about what a good show it was and praised the location, which allowed for great viewing from several locations in town - and beyond. Some residents reported seeing them as far away as Caulfield and Mammoth.
Hawkins said that businesses in Gainesville also saw a real boom of business Friday night.
Crossroads Drips & Dips announced they would be staying open until 9 p.m. Friday night, serving up hotdogs and their specialty coffee drinks, ice cream and milk shakes. They invited everyone to come watch the show from their location off Highway 160 next to Dollar General.
“68 milkshakes out the door on America’s B-day here at Crossroads! Thank you for all your local support - there’s no hometown like Gainesville, MO!” a post on the businesses’ Facebook page said.
Hawkins said that business owners Ray and Missy Grisham said July 4 marked the busiest day they’ve had since opening in 2023. Mike and Heather Gardner with Antler Pizza and Package in Gainesville also said it was also their biggest day since they’ve taken over the restaurant.
The Gainesville Saddle Club rodeo was a big success too. Hawkins said that club secretary KJ Johnson said the Tommy Rand event garnered the biggest crowd of any Gainesville rodeo held in the three years she’s been involved with the club.
“Wow, what a night! Rodeo and fireworks, who could ask for anything better?” a post on the Gainesville Saddle Club’s Facebook page said. “Everyone did a great job - from those getting the arena in shape, operating the cook shack, the folks working the gate, folks parking cars, Tommy Rand putting on the rodeo, the Ozark County Chamber of Commerce with the fireworks and our great community coming out and making all the work worth it! A big shout out to our members who gave their time during the event to make it all happen. Thank you everyone for the work y’all put it. It is noticed.”
With a packed rodeo arena, busy local businesses and fireworks lighting up the sky, Gainesville’s first “Fireworks Over the Square” was a night to remember.
As for next year? Hawkins says, “I’m optimistic we can find a way to do this again - and hopefully make it a yearly tradition.”
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Editor’s note: A dog went missing off Highway 181 after the fireworks show, and its owner is desperately looking for it. See page 3 for a photo and more information.