Franklin County, News, Top News Stories FRONT PAGE, Z - News Main, Z - TOP HOME
 By  Ciera Hughes Published 
10:38 am Friday, July 10, 2020

Firework show to delight in Vina, despite canceled July Fest

The COVID-19 pandemic claims another victim with the cancelling of Vina’s July Fest, but the fan-favorite firework show is still set to continue.

The firework show is planned for the day July Fest would have been held, July 26 at 9 p.m., with attendees practicing social distancing and watching the fireworks from their vehicles.

“The firework show is something that always draws a lot of support, so we wanted to keep that part,” said Vina Fire Chief Michael Moomaw. “The firework show usually brings a lot of the town together and brings a lot of people back to Vina.”

Vina Rescue Squad secretary and event coordinator Denise Rogers said this would have been the 30th year of July Fest.

“It has been going on for so long, and it is just something everyone always looks forward to,” Rogers said.

Rogers said after looking at the number of positive cases in Franklin County, cancelling July Fest “felt like the right thing to do.”

“We were saddened, but it felt like something that was necessary to make sure we protected our community,” Rogers said.

She said in addition to the rise in positive cases, another factor making it difficult to hold July Fest was how behind preparation was because of COVID-19.

“Our (Draw Down) ticket sale is one of our main events, but it would be hard to sell tickets,” Rogers said. “This isn’t something that can be put together in 30 days.”

Moomaw said planning usually begins in March, around the time when the virus began to surface, so planning was paused.

“We are really going to miss not having July Fest this year,” Moomaw said. “The July Fest brings a time of fellowship where people from Vina and the surrounding areas can come together.”

Some of the top events at July Fest are the car show, the fireworks and the Draw Down, where the last ticket pulled wins $17,000.

“The drawing is always my favorite because you can see the excitement on everyone’s faces, especially the closer it gets to the last ticket,” Moomaw said.

In addition to bringing family fun for the entire community, July Fest is the biggest fundraiser for the Vina Fire and Rescue Department, generating most of that year’s funds. Rogers said it will be a difficult year financially without July Fest, but she knows everything will work out in the end.

“With so many festivals being cancelled, a lot of nonprofits are taking a hit,” Rogers said. “At the end of the day, we are all in this together, and we will get through it together.”

Also on Franklin County Times
Thorpe to play at Blue Mountain Christian
High School Sports, News, Russellville, ...
Brannon King For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Brennon Thorpe made his plans official to attend Blue Mountain Christian University and play baseball for the Toppers during a recent s...
Russellville High Class of 1967 gathers, reminisces
Columnists, News, Opinion, ...
HERE AND NOW
July 16, 2025
You can’t really go back to the good old days of high school, but you can pay them a visit now and then. That’s exactly what the RHS Class of 1967 has...
Former Cypress Lakes official to lead Guntersville State Park
Lifestyles, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
GUNTERSVILLE — Heath Puckett had an Auburn University degree and golf course superintendent certification in his pocket when he arrived at Cypress Lak...
European travel builds bonds across cultures
Lifestyles, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- A group of Franklin County travelers spent nine days this summer walking through catacombs, exploring castles and standing in places w...
Little Free Library welcomes readers in East Franklin
Lifestyles, News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Eleven-year-old Aiden Hall is an avid reader, but he doesn’t just want to read books. He also wants to share them, and the way he deci...
King becomes elementary curriculum director
Lifestyles, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELVILLE — Molly King says every child can learn, though not necessarily in the same way or on the same day — a belief she plans to carry into her ...
New Junior Leaders begin their training
Franklin County, News
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
FRANKLIN COUNTY — Forty-two high school students from across Franklin County are beginning 10 months of hands-on leadership training and community ser...
Fire destroys 2-story garage, guest suite
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
R U S S E L LV I L L E – Jason Gist leaned against the wall of his home with a look of disgust while dozens of firefighters worked to extinguish a fir...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Stories
July 4, 2025Augusto Simon Diaz, 42, of Russellville, passed away July 4. Visitation and funeral were held at Spry Memorial Chapel on July 12 from 2pm ...
July 16, 2025
July 8, 2025Jamie Kerby Cummings, 41, of Russellville, passed away on July 8. Visitation took place July 13, at Spry Memorial Chapel from 1 pm to 3pm....
July 16, 2025
July 11,2025Julie “JuJu” Welch Black, 63, of Russellville, passed away on July 11.Graveside service was held at 1pm on July 13, at Belgreen Cemetery w...
July 16, 2025
July 9, 2025Scott Noel Benford, age 58, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on July 9. Visitation was held at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville on July 1...
July 16, 2025