Argenta News - 4th of July Fireworks

4th of July Fireworks

Written by Scott Miller

Thursday, July 03 2008

Sample Image

The 4th of July has traditionally been the second busiest traffic day in Argenta after the Riverfest fireworks night on Memorial Day weekend. Tens of thousands of people will come down to Argenta, park and walk to the Northshore Park to watch the fireworks shot off the Main Street Bridge. This means the Main Street Bridge will be closed most of the day on the 4th and the trolley will not be running over the River. People will be parking all over Argenta and walking to the River, The ballpark parking restrictions are NOT in effect since this is not a ballpark event.

The Arkansas Symphony will begin playing at the amphitheater on the LR side at 8:30 pm and the fireworks will begin at 9:30 pm. The Junction Bridge will be closed to the public at 8:00 pm. Dickey-Stephens will be open to the public with no admission charge to watch the fireworks and the concession stands will be open so you can munch on a hot dog while watching the fireworks.

I will be watching the fireworks from my driveway behind my house with friends and neighbors.

Tag it:

Comments (4)

Post-fireworks traffic
Written by Eric Francis, on 04-07-2008 23:39
Walking back home from the park, I noticed the same problem I have encountered after other riverfront events that produce heavy vehicle traffic. Throngs of pedestrians crossing Riverfront Drive and Broadway did so without the benefit of a police officer managing traffic. The huge volume of cars meant that it wasn't impossible to cross -- they were at a standstill on Riverfront and a slow creep on Broadway -- but I'd still feel better if we had a couple of cops assigned to each intersection to make sure the walkers got across safely and the drivers got better opportunities to turn into or out of the traffic.

ditto...
Written by dumblonde, on 04-07-2008 23:55
Hear, hear Eric! I agree totally. I mean, excuse me, if the NLRPD can stop traffic on Broadway there at the Burger King & Alltel then why could they not provide traffic patrol for this as well as Memorial Day?

Parking Fees...
Written by Scottc, on 05-07-2008 00:05
A couple of years ago, I took some out of town relatives across the river to enjoy the 4th watching the symphony and fireworks. Parking was free, and we managed to get out without too much trouble.

This evening, I took my family down to the NLR riverfront. Our decision to park in the grass a few 100 yards downstream from the Hayes navy was greeted with a $5.00 parking fee. Not to mention traffic out of there was like trying to pour a bucket of sand through a straw. Looks like I'll be enjoying the spectacle on the other side from now on.

I understand that revenue is down, but parking fees on the 4th of July? Events at Alltel, sure--but this is a national holiday. Seems a little crass to me. Any other opinions?

?Parking Charge
Written by dumblonde, on 05-07-2008 00:20
I can not believe the $5 parking charge. I'm disgusted. I would ask that you reconsider about parking on the south shore for the fireworks displays for July 4th or for Riverfest. There is a always parking on the streets in Argenta AND there is the parking lot of 1st Presbyterian Church (located 4th & Maple). We always see quite a few people park in this lot, in their lawn chairs and watch the fireworks from the grass lot or from the parking lot. You're also not trying to pour sand through a straw to leave afterwards.