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Remembering heroes on Independence Day
AUSTINTOWN
Thousands of Valley residents crowded the Austintown Plaza on Sunday night to celebrate the community’s 40th anniversary of Fourth of July celebrations.
Available in the center of the plaza, 6000 Mahoning Ave., were several activities for children and parents to enjoy including games, food, prizes, entertainment and more.
Businesses had the opportunity to show what they had to offer during the hours before the main event – the 10 p.m. fireworks show.
Some business owners felt giving back to the community they love so much was a good way to celebrate patriotism for the holiday weekend.
Harold Porter, co-owner of Austintown Bounce and a school-board member, said he was happy to be a part of the festivities.
“I feel privileged and love giving back to Austintown while celebrating America’s birthday,” he said.
Attendees showed appreciation for the free events, which allowed families to make a day out of it.
Tabitha Marshall held prizes for her 6-year-old nephew Sam Marshall as he ran up the bounce slide to come down and do it all over again.
“It’s nice to get the kids out of the house and come do something fun like this,” she said.
The Martinez family walked into the plaza with four siblings, ready to take advantage of games and grab traditional fair food before the fireworks show started.
“I think it’s awesome, and we’re going to have so much fun,” said 10-year-old Steven Martinez.
June Galbraith, co-chairwoman of Austintown Night Out, said despite the variety of events going on throughout Sunday evening, the fireworks were the main attraction.
“The fireworks usually get us pretty crowded,” she said. “Everyone does such a great job.”
Galbraith said although the fireworks are the main attraction to draw in residents, the event gives her an opportunity to provide a sneak peek of Austintown Night Out.
Austintown Night Out is a part of National Night Out, a day dedicated to getting members from the community communicating better with police officers and firefighters in a fun environment.
“It’s all about getting people aware of what’s going on,” she said. “It gets them to come check all of this out.”
Three-year-old Connor Trickett was a perfect example of someone becoming more aware.
He said he came to the Austintown Plaza to see not only the fireworks, but the firetrucks as well.
Connor modeled his overalls and red-shirted outfit to dress up like Superhero Captain America to meet firefighters, his real-life heroes.
When it was time for the fireworks, revelers watched the sky light up in silence, celebrating the patriotic holiday by remembering the real-life heroes who made it possible.