LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Final preparations are underway for Saturday's Star Spangled Spectacular, as organizers prepare for a full day of patriotic events, family activities and one of the region's largest fireworks displays.
The celebration begins at 9 a.m. with the Freedom 5K Run and Walk. Activities at Faurot Park start at noon with a veterans appreciation car show, followed by the Kids Fishing Derby at 1 p.m.
Families can also enjoy a children's activity area from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. near the Men's Garden Club building. The Lima Area Concert Band will perform at the Rotary Pavilion from 7:50 to 9:50 p.m.
New this year, the event will feature a drone light show beginning at 9:50 p.m., followed by the annual fireworks display. Organizers say the best viewing locations for both shows will be at the Rotary Pavilion or in the park's bowl area.
To help ease traffic and parking, the Allen County Regional Transit Authority will provide shuttle service beginning at 7:30 p.m. from the Mercy Health St. Rita's Graduate Medical Education Building. A trolley will also transport visitors between attractions throughout the park.
"It runs till after the fireworks. So, you can park over at St. Rita's, take the RTA shuttle down to the park. And also the trolley will be running around the park. So if you want to go from the splash pad, say, to where the concert band's performing, or maybe down where the food trucks are, you can jump on the trolley," said Star Spangled Spectacular Committee member Mike Carpenter.
A complete schedule of events is available on the Star Spangled Spectacular Lima 4th Facebook page.
