On Friday, July 4th, the Pasco County Fairgrounds was host to the Sparklebration Festival and Fireworks Car and Truck Show. The weather was just like a Fourth of July should be, sunny, hot and humid. While the event had several levels of sponsors, the actual car and truck show was hosted by Ronnie and Kim Setser. Dash plaques were given out to the 85 vehicles that registered.

Entertainment was on tap throughout the fairgrounds. Rick Osbourne, The Yo-Yo Man, put on a great exhibition, Kayla Pate gave a baton demonstration and the U.S. Army also fired a big Howitzer Cannon throughout the afternoon. Manning the cannon was Spc. Anthony Rivera, Spc. Joseph Beichner and Spc. Robert Armstrong from the Army’s Bravo Battery 2-116 Field Artillery out of the Dade City Armory.

The show was also dedicated to the honorable memory of Pasco County Sheriff’s Deputy Lt. Charles “Bo” Harrison, and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Deputies manned a car hauler which was converted by four Deputies to hold exhibits on crime prevention. The cabinets held displays focused on gun safety, auto theft, residential security, frauds and scams, the D.A.R.E. program and an introduction to 911 for kids. The air-conditioned trailer and town vehicle were all paid for by a Federal Grant, and really was a neat way to beat both crime and the heat waves.

After the awards were given out at Ronnie’s Setser’s trophy presentation, all eyes were towards the sky as skydivers landed inside the fairgrounds, bringing the U.S. Flag and the VFW post colors down from above. As exciting as all of this was, no Fourth of July celebration would be complete without fireworks. As evening skies grew dark, all were treated to a great display that turned the night skies into bright colors of red, white and blue.

Many thanks to all who attended this year’s Sparklebration and helped make the weekend a success in celebrating our country’s independence. CN