Austintown Fireworks location shifted for easier traffic flow

June 4, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

By ROBERT CONNELLY

AUSTINTOWN

The Austintown fireworks show has moved this year.

The Austintown Board of Education approved the fireworks being set off July 3 from the old Fitch High/Austintown Middle School, 5800 Mahoning Ave., at a joint meeting with the Austintown Board of Trustees.

Austintown trustee Jim Davis and resident Mark Cole are the co-chairmen for the Austintown Fireworks Committee this year.

“When we first did the fireworks at the park, we knew that there was going to be an issue with traffic,” Davis said. “We’ve held so many events at the park that we’re aware of the situation and the size and the limited parking.”

The fireworks will be shot from the 50-yard line of the old Fitch football field July 3. Davis explained there are only a few places fireworks can be shot from in the township as the organizers adhere to regulations.

The new location is being done in conjunction with the Austintown Plaza, 6000 Mahoning Ave., and there will be a “family-oriented” center area of the plaza lot dedicated to activities. Davis and Cole are finalizing some of those aspects, such as a bounce house, and are working with O’Donold’s Austintown and Buffalo Wild Wings to have food there, but not alcohol.

“All the places in the plaza could do an actual sidewalk sale, and we’re hoping they’ll want to jump in and participate with us,” Cole said.

Other parking lots along Mahoning Avenue will be accessible for parking, and some of those businesses could stay open longer that day to serve fireworks show attendees.

The Canfield Community Band will kick off the patriotic celebrations with playing at Austintown Park on June 30. The next day, July 1, there will be a car show from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Trax Restaurant and Lounge, 4250 New Road, with prizes and trophies.

Cole and Davis are seeking sponsors and donations for the event. For those interested in sponsoring or donating, both men can be reached on their cellphones. Davis is at 330-518-7067, and Cole is at 330-720-0381.