To celebrate Independence Day, the City of Bowling Green, Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce, Visit BG Ohio, Northwestern Ohio Tractor Pullers Association and the Wood County Agricultural Society announce the return of the BG BOOM Festival and Fireworks, scheduled for Thursday, July 3. The event is made possible by the support of sponsors Bates Recycling, Belleville Brothers Meats, Ohio Logistics, State Bank, VFW Post 1148, and Walmart.
The fireworks display, which begins at dusk, will be launched in a secure area within the tractor pullers’ property, which provides for viewing from all around the fairgrounds area, as well as within the surrounding neighborhoods.
The chamber is seeking community support to help fund the event through sponsorships, donations, and fundraisers. Sponsorship registration and donation forms are available on the chamber website at www.bgchamber.net/bg-boom/ or by calling the chamber office at 419-353-7945. Fundraisers, including the Bates Recycling Aluminum Can Drive, are currently underway, with more information
at www.bgchamber.net/bg-boom-can-drive/.
With the support of Visit BG Ohio, the BG BOOM festival will also return for an afternoon of activities prior to the fireworks display. The festival, which runs from 4 to 9 p.m., will include inflatables and interactive games. The event will be free for everyone in the community to attend.
The Wood County Agricultural Society has planned for 12 food trucks to be on-site and open from 4 – 11 p.m., or until their food supplies run out. The food truck lineup includes Big Daddy Sausage and More, Blue Collar BBQ, Manny’s Munchies, Simply Delish, The Rolling Lemon, The Tamale Guy, Uncle Louie’s Food Truck, Franks Fries, Poppin George’s Kettle Corn, Icy Paw, Mr. Melon, and The Tucker Truck. State Bank’s GIVES Truck will be located next to the Pratt Pavilion, offering treats in return for donations.
Local Chamber member organizations will be hosting activities for the children in attendance, including kindness rocks and temporary tattoos with Trinity United Methodist Church of Bowling Green. There will be games and giveaways from Western & Southern Life and Wood County Children Services. Other participating organizations include Children’s Resource Center, Wood County ADAMHS, Walmart, and Meijer.
As dusk falls, the attention will shift to the fireworks show, performed by Rozzi Fireworks. Due to the support of the City of Bowling Green, this year’s fireworks display will, once again, be an almost 30-minute show that “you will not want to miss.”
It is recommended for those planning to watch the fireworks to park in the east and north parking lots of the fairgrounds off Brim Road. Enter these lots through Gate E, which is off Brim Road and across from Christopher Drive. This parking area will provide an unobstructed view for the fireworks.
Additional parking will be available in the lot across from the fairgrounds on Poe Road. This parking area is convenient for those going to the festival but does have trees that obstruct the view of the fireworks.
The Wood County Agricultural Society will be hosting family-friendly camping Tuesday through Sunday, featuring campsites under the fireworks. Anyone interested in camping can reserve a spot by calling the fair office at 419-352-0441 or by going online to woodcounty-fair.com and registering under the specialty camping tab.
No unauthorized persons will be allowed in any area that is marked with caution tape around the cement barricades. Organizers appreciate everyone being aware of these areas so that a safe and organized experience can be provided. The Wood County Sheriff’s Office will be present within the fairground parking area to assist in enforcing these precautions. In case of emergency, through the support of the Wood County Hospital, a first aid tent will be situated near the main entrance of the fairgrounds.
All outside pyrotechnics (fireworks) including novelty items, such as sparklers, poppers, and smoke bombs are banned on fairground property, including all parking areas. Golf carts also are not permitted on the grounds for this event, except for those being used by the organizers.
A rain date for the fireworks is scheduled for July 5. Festival activities will not be rescheduled to the rain date. Look for this information on the Bowling Green Chamber’s website (bgchamber.net) and social media (@bg_chamber on Instagram and Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce on Facebook).
The chamber would like to express gratitude to all the sponsors and donors who made this event possible. A full list of sponsors and donors can be found at bgchamber.net/annual.
The Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce supports an environment for the development and success of business within the Bowling Green area. The chamber celebrates, educates, and strengthens its investors through business improvement events, grants, services, leadership, legislative updates, and group savings programs. The chamber serves as a community connection via “The Morning Show” radio program on WBGU 88.1FM, Wood County Safety Council, annual awards, Holiday Parade, and BG BOOM Fireworks Festival.
