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City News

Sparks the Park Jul 6 2008

By: Terri Richardson - Texarkana Gazette Spirits were up as the sun went down Saturday and thousands filled the Four States Fairgrounds for a Sparks in the Park to remember. Fireworks fanatics and those just looking for some family fun found plenty to get excited about on the active midway and stage. “I just like the ice cream and the fireworks,” said Andrew Padgett, 10, of Texarkana, Ark. “We did the climbing things and the bungee cord. And you can eat fair food!” Andrew attended with his mother, Robin Padgett, and raced toward the nearest frosty cream treat with his buddy Donnie Treese, 10. “I think it’s more fun here,” said Karron Treese, Donnie’s mother. “There’s more stuff to do.” She and her husband, Donald Treese, relaxed in earshot of the live music on the central stage. Treese said she also liked the available parking, walking around the midway and all of the free stuff for kids. “It seems more roomie,” she said of the new location for the event. In past years, the annual fireworks show was held at Spring Lake Park. Several church groups, baseball teams and businesses presented activities or sold yummy-smelling fair food. At the petting zoo, children exclaimed over the chickens, ducklings, goats, ponies and pigs. After viewing the range of farm animals, many small children played with farm-inspired toys and games at the Agricultural Learning Center. “My favorite fireworks are the red ones,” said Franklin McDonald, 5, of Overton, Texas. “And the orange ones too.” Franklin sat with his brother, Dalton McDonald, 4, on one side and his father, Shane McDonald, on his other side. Dalton said his favorite color for almost anything, including fireworks, is John Deere green. “They’ve been asking all week, ‘When are we going to the park Mama? When are we going to the park?’” said their mother, Gini McDonald, who held their baby sister, Emili. Other families gathered around the two rock climbing walls. One was provided for free by the Army, and the other heralded the Children’s Area, towering over a variety of inflatable bouncy rides. Lauryn Newberg, 11, of Texarkana, Ark., greeted people and helped her mom, Debra Newberg, introduce their blue and gold macaw, Lucy, to the strolling midway. After busily working as a children’s activities director for the C.K. Ranch stand, Lauryn was looking forward to the fireworks. She even had the words “Sparks in the Park” painted across her arms. “I like the ones that pop and then rain slowly,” said Lauryn. “I liked the rock climbing wall.” The afternoon seemed to last forever, but one corner of the park screamed speed. The Texas Motor Speedway’s show car program also had the Sprint Cup car on display and video racing games. They also gave away weekend tickets to a NASCAR truck racing weekend in November. But for those who like a single lap up shot, followed by a “kaboom” and a spray of lights, the best part of Sparks in the Park 2008 was yet to come. Back to News