News at CCC

Carter City to celebrate Fourth with fireworks

By ALLEN BLAIR - The Independent Posted: 07/02/04 - 12:36:22 am EDT

CARTER CITY There won't be a huge downtown parade. Or a big-name concert.

But, this little burg of a few hundred will gather today at Carper Park for its own Independence Day celebration - a homegrown event of hot dogs, fun and, of course, fireworks.

"Everybody loves it," said Kathy Williams, who with her husband Bill attends every year. "Everybody usually brings a dish ... So many people come."

It would remind you of stuff you hear about that neighbors did in years long before, said resident Jonathon Lewis.

"And it's a chance to come out and see each other."

What started as a family gathering eight or 10 years ago just blossomed, said Lincoln Theinert, organizer of the Carter City free cookout and fireworks show.

"We invited friends and family, then they started inviting friends and family," Theinert said.

One family was the Williamses, whose daughter grew up with the Theinerts' daughter.

"It kept getting bigger and bigger and bigger," Mrs. Williams said, adding it's among people's favorite things now, to stay home for the Fourth.

"You can go up there and socialize with people you know ... and his fireworks are really good."

Some watch from their porch, or at the church parking lot, she said.

In its fourth year at the park ballfield, the gathering's highlight is those fireworks, said Theinert, who gets a state fire marshal's permit for the show. It's supervised by the Carter City Fire Department.

"As far as bursts in the air, it will be well into the thousands," he said.

More than 4,000, in fact, plus a 7,000-shot "Saturn" bottle rocket pack. All are commercial type fireworks, but they're the bigger shellburst kind.

"It's in a peaceful setting, dark, and that can make the fireworks look quite impressive," Theinert said.

Planning for the show, with a goal of something in the sky at all times, began in April.

And, while Theinert puts his own time and money into the event, he said it has been an effort that involves everyone.

There is amazing community involvement with everything from moving the bunker to where they launch and a loaned hay wagon for the music area to hot dog and bun donations from local businesses to a volunteer cook, Theinert said.

There's no charge, but many people make cash donations throughout the year, eager for the cookout to come around again, he said.

"It all springs from the talent of the community," said State Rep. Robin Webb, D-Grayson, who owns a farm nearby, and one of those who help sponsor the event.

"It's just a fantastic gathering," she said. "It's like a family reunion almost."

And, while a neighborly spirit reigns year-round in Carter City, this is a fun time to come together off the farm or away from work or away from school, said Theinert, a Morehead State University finance major.

As the crowd has grown, it has brought people together that might only see each other infrequently, he said.

"The way I look at it, it's a time to sit back and say, 'Here we are, another year has passed and we're glad to be here.' It's almost as much a celebration of life as it is Independence Day."