By Andrew Edwards
Elmore/Autauga News
The coronavirus has taken away events for the past 12 months, but there’s now a light at the end of the tunnel. Gatherings and events seem to be slowly coming back, and it was on display first hand at the Tuesday Prattville City Council meeting.
Council members voted to unanimously grant J&M displays the job for the city’s 4th of July firework display program at a cost of $23,500.
On a typical year, the fireworks program would be held at Stanley-Jensen Stadium in downtown Prattville. Citizens would normally gather around Prattville Creek and surrounding areas to watch the display.
Last year, due to the COVID restrictions, the program was moved to the Homeplace Clock Tower to allow for better social distancing. In a turn of events, the move gathered a great deal of support from the community and will once again take place at the Clock Tower this year.
“We had glowing reviews from the community at last year’s event, so much so that we decided to hold it in the same place again,” said Kellie Cook, Director of Parks and Recreations for the City of Prattville. “It’s not the traditional way that we’ve done the 4th of July, but it’s a spectacular event either way.”
If things go well again this summer and the event garners positive reviews, Cook says the city would certainly consider making Homeplace the permanent location for the program.
Of all of the impacts that the move made, Cook explained that viewers loved the wide-open spaces.
“The best part about having the show at the clocktower is that people can park in one of the nearby restaurants or retail stores. It allows for more space, and you don’t have to fight for a piece of grass by the creek or a spot on the bridge downtown,” Cook said.
This move will also mark a potential turning point for events in the city.
More details concerning the event will be forthcoming from the city and we will share on our website at elmoreautauganews.com.
