TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Sparklebration Doesn't Lower The Boom

ADVERTISEMENT

By GEOFF FOX

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 29, 2008

DADE CITY - DADE CITY - Blaming a slow economy, officials in Plant City had to cancel the town's popular July 4 celebration this year, including a fireworks display.
Tarpon Springs leaders faced a similar problem until a local couple donated $18,000 to keep the fireworks booming on Independence Day.

But not here.

Tracy Thompson, the entertainment chairman of the Pasco County Fair Association, said local officials also were concerned that bursting pyrotechnics would be lacking at Sparklebration, the popular July 3 and 4 event at the fairgrounds.

"If not for our corporate sponsors, we couldn't do it," he said. "With the economy, we were scared, but they said yes. We were not able to get a midway this year because most of those companies were already up north. With the cost of gas, they didn't want to come back this way."

The Tampa Tribune is a sponsor of the annual event.

The Sparklebration Star-Spangled Spectacular, featuring the 45-piece Mostly Pops Orchestra and special guests John and Mary K. Wilson, will start at 7 p.m. Thursday at the fairgrounds' Dan Cannon Auditorium. The concert will feature patriotic music and a multimedia tribute to local military service men and women.

John Wilson, an anchor with Tampa's WTVT, has been performing with his wife for more than three decades.

"This is the first time at Sparklebration for them," Thompson said. "It was available, and we jumped at the chance. It's something new, and people are excited."

Besides fireworks, Friday's events will include The Dennis Lee Show, described by Thompson as "a kind of singer-comedian who does a wonderful 'American Trilogy' rendition like Elvis used to do," as well as The GaryElvis Show.

"We already got a couple of people from Jacksonville who called, wanting to see him," Thompson said of GaryElvis. "They heard about it through his Web site. Some people are really into Elvis impersonators."

Friday's other attractions include a Lowry Park Zoo animal show, featuring an American eagle; watermelon, hot dog and apple pie eating contests; a display of military equipment and vehicles from the National Guard Armory in Dade City.

Skydivers will parachute into the fairgrounds with a large American flag about 5 p.m. The fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:15 p.m.

Thompson said between 5,000 and 6,000 attended last year's Sparklebration events. He expects about the same number this year.

"Ticket sales are going real well," he said.

MUSIC AND FIREWORKS

Advance tickets for the Sparklebration Star-Spangled Spectacular concert are $12 and available at the Pasco County Fair Office, Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce and Tampa Type/Print, all in Dade City; Bingham Realty in Zephyrhills and the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce in Land O' Lakes.

•Tickets can be charged by phone at (352) 567-6678. Tickets are $15 at the door; children 10 and younger get in free.

•The fairgrounds open at 4 p.m. July 4. Cost is $3 for adults; there is no charge for children 10 and younger. Parking is $5.

•The fairgrounds are at 36722 State Road 52, next to Pasco High School.

•For information, call the fairgrounds office at (352) 567-6678 or visit www.sparklebration.com.

Reporter Geoff Fox can be reached at (813) 779-4613 or gfox@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT