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Columbia details 300th-year plans: July 4 fireworks, Riverfest collaboration and speaker series
Summary
Parks and the 300th-committee outlined a packed events calendar for Columbia's 300th anniversary, including July 4 fireworks at Gladfelders Field, a Sept. 26 multi-event day in the river-park/Locust Street corridor, and an expanded speaker series; staff are moving into permitting and coordination stages.
At the March 3 workshop, the parks and 300th-committee provided a detailed events calendar for Columbia's 300th-anniversary year and answered logistical questions related to permitting and interagency coordination.
The committee reported that July 4 fireworks will be staged at Gladfelders Field with pre-show family events, music by the band Popscotch, and a combined National Night Out presence. The committee also described a planned opening-ceremony weekend in June (including Cub Scouts flag presentation, a band and remarks from state legislators and other dignitaries), Riverfest participation (June 26'28) and a Sept. 26 slate of three overlapping events along Locust Street coordinated to create a single downtown festival experience.
Organizers said they have met with emergency services regarding mass-event planning and that they will begin permitting steps shortly. The Rights Mansion foundation has pledged funds to illuminate historic bridge piers during the 300th lighting; event planners cautioned that traffic and parking impacts are likely and asked council to support permitting and traffic-control planning. Committee volunteers reported successful fundraising and vendor engagement, including nearly 600 calendars sold and a new volunteer-produced video/taping offer for the speaker series.
Council thanked organizers and emphasized the need to continue coordination with police, fire and public works for traffic control, public-safety staffing, and permitting as the summer calendar nears. Committee leaders said they will provide finalized permits and an event logistics map as the next step.
