Now in its 10th year, Wooster Fireworks Foundation keeps the oohs and aahs coming

Gil Ning is amazingly calm about hosting a party for more than 8,000 people on the Fourth of July.Ning, the president of the nonprofit Wooster Fireworks Foundation, said he has everything he needs to plan Wooster’s big Independence Day celebration on a small removable computer drive full of names, numbers and other logistical information.The only thing he doesn’t control is the weather – and Ning said, “It’s like death. I don’t worry about it. … It’ll be a nice day.”There would have to be some serious downpours and thunder and lightning to force the postponement of the event at the county-owned Kinney Building property, which is bordered by Burbank Road to the east, Oldman Road to the north and Highland Avenue to the south.It is the 10th year for the celebration in its current form. Over the years, Wooster has had Fourth of July displays at the Wayne County Fairgrounds and at The College of Wooster. At one point, the celebration was overseen by the Wooster Jaycees. Until economics prevented it, the city sponsored the light show.“We were handed the torch from the Ramblin’ Rods” Car Club, Ning said. The foundation, which has a five-member volunteer board, was established specifically for the event, which garners considerable support from the Wooster Exchange Club, of which Ning has also been president.Each year, the main fundraiser for the fireworks has been the club’s annual Reverse Raffle, an evening event held at the American Legion. Ning said the club raises $10,000 that evening for the fireworks display.Another $4,000 is needed and is raised through private donations, which can be made to the Wooster Fireworks Foundation, P.O. Box 1424, Wooster 44691.Ironically, Ning said, the display used to cost $20,000 – a number hard to reach. You’d think, he said, “the more money you spend, the bigger the show.”Not true. The key to creating a top-notch show is all in how the explosives are set off and how quickly. For $14,000, “I’ve received more compliments than when I had a $20,000 show,” Ning said. Once again this year, the display will be created and set off by the 120-year-old Zambelli Fireworks of New Castle, Pa.While the pyrotechnics are not expected to begin until 10 p.m., there will plenty to see for several hours before, as the Kinney site will host a variety of activities. Beginning at 5 p.m., Ning said, food vendors will open up shop. Events are divided into three locations: the north end (near Ida Sue School on Oldman Road), the east side (near the communications building near the intersection of Oldman and Burbank roads) and the south end (near the Children Services Building/Burbank-Highland area).Among the highlights at the north end will be the Air Bear helicopter, which will land at 7 p.m. and will stay for an hour or so for tours. Owned by Akron Children’s’ Hospital, Ning said, the Air Bear is “basically a transport helicopter specifically for children and is very child friendly.”That area will also host vehicles on display courtesy of the Ohio Army National Guard, as well as the Bowman Beverage-sponsored Motorcycle Games, which will be run by the Northern Ohio Chapter of the Sons of God Motorcycle Club. Registration for the games begins at 6 p.m., with a variety of games beginning at 7 p.m. The entry fee of $5 per game will go to local charities, Ning said.He added that Wooster Youth Baseball will have a speed pitch cage and a “Chips for the 4th” golf ball chipping challenge.The city’s portable stage will be set up on the east side for both karaoke and for a laser light show featuring local deejay Tim Wilson. This also is the location where the city’s safety services will display their vehicles.Grace Brethren Church will offer all kinds of children’s activities at the south end, where there will be more Guard vehicles and where Faith Harvest Church also will have a tent.While Ning said he estimates 8,000 will be on the Kinney grounds, he noted thousands more will view the fireworks from the parking lots at Wooster High School, Kean Elementary, the Noble Ice Arena and all throughout the north end commercial district and the neighborhoods surrounding the Kinney property.He also credited the county for mowing the property in anticipation of the event and the city for working on the logistics and for setting up the fire ring to ensure the safety of spectators. The county’s Community Service program will provide the manpower for the big clean-up.In all, Ning said, he and his committee will be plenty busy on the day of the event and then “boom, it’s over.”