Sparks of Giving expands for 2025 with music, fireworks and family fun

The Sparks of Giving charity event will take place Sept. 13 beginning at 3 p.m. Event organizers said they hope the fall schedule will attract more people by avoiding conflicts with vacations and other summer plans.

What started as a backyard party at the home of Kyle and Samantha Quillen expanded to include the entire community for the first time last year. It was also decided then to make raising money for charity the focus of the event.

Proceeds will benefit the Zoar View Foundation, established by the Quillens to support local charitable organizations. Businesses along the state Route 212 corridor are also invited to raise funds or donate a percentage of sales to charity, either to one of their choice or to ZVF.

“We’re deeply rooted in this community, and we aren’t going anywhere,” said Samantha Quillen. “We’ve chosen to invest and help grow and support this community.”

Funds raised last year were combined with a donation from the Quillens to support Akron Children’s Hospital, with the stipulation that the money be used for mental and behavioral health programs in Tuscarawas County.

“We looked at behavioral and mental health statistics from Tuscarawas County and the numbers show an absolute epidemic,” Quillen said. “Especially after the Tusky Valley band bus crash, we saw a huge need for mental health in our schools.”

More family fun

Organizers say Sparks 2025 will offer even more activities for families and the community to enjoy. The event begins at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Wilkshire Golf Course and Wilkshire Banquet Center and continues until 11 p.m.

General admission tickets cover activities at the golf course, while VIP tickets include access to a special party at the banquet center.

Musical acts at the general admission area include the Spair Jordans, Homeroom Hangover, Nashville artist Gunner Stevens, and DJ Pinke of Los Angeles. Other activities include a bounce house, inflatables, a petting zoo and kids’ activities. Finlayson Towing and Shutterbug Photography are sponsoring a Touch a Truck event featuring fire trucks, township trucks and more.

A car show is scheduled from 3-7 p.m. at the banquet center, featuring appearances by Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater from the movie “Cars” and Bumblebee the Transformer. Vendors and food trucks will also be on-site, including The Sweet Canteen, Jalisco Express, Krazy Kitchen, Big Rummy’s Smoked Snacks, Fizzy Co. and Korner Kettle Korn.

The VIP party at the banquet center features all-you-can-eat catering by Robert J. Events and Catering, an open bar, valet parking, priority seating for the fireworks, mini golf and an extended DJ party after the fireworks. A live auction will offer items such as a guitar signed by Morgan Wallen, box seats for the Akron Rubber Ducks, golf packages and Cleveland Browns tickets.

Fireworks and finale

At approximately 9:30 p.m., the fireworks display will begin.

“Last year, the biggest shells we had were 8 inches,” Kyle Quillen said. “This year, the Northeast Pyrotechnics crew has got some 12- and maybe even 14-inch shells in the show. You’re not going to see those anywhere else.”

The fireworks will be synchronized with an Electronic Dance Music set by DJ EV, a Cleveland native who has toured internationally and opened for acts including Machine Gun Kelly. Afterward, EV will perform an extended set at the banquet center.

“We’re asking people not to just come watch the fireworks, but to take in all that the event has to offer, because there’s really a lot to enjoy,” Quillen said.

General admission tickets are a $15 donation per adult, with free admission for children 12 and younger. VIP tickets are a $125 donation per adult, $25 per teen ages 13-18, and free for children 12 and younger. Tickets and additional options are available at zoarviewfoundation.org.

Updates are also posted on the Sparks of Giving Facebook page. The Wilkshire Banquet Center is at 474 Jeanne Anne Lane, Bolivar, and the Wilkshire Golf Course is at 10566 Wilkshire Blvd. NE, Bolivar. Parking is available at the Massarelli lots on Arrowhead Road, in the field across from Massarelli’s, at Wilkshire Golf Course and along Arrowhead Road and Wilkshire Boulevard.