XENIA — The Kevin Sonnycalb Memorial Fireworks Festival is returning for a third year Friday, July 7.
Presented by the Xenia Rotary Club, the festival is named in honor of long-time Rotarian Kevin Sonnycalb, a Xenia businessman and civic leader. The free festival will feature music by Blue Moon Soup, a children’s bike parade, child and adult fishing derbies, Mike Hemmelgarn’s puppet show, a chalk art contest, bounce houses, and a fireworks display by Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks.
“My family and I are delighted that we can once again give this gift to the Xenia community,” said Susie Sonnycalb.
Neil Fogarty, president of Xenia Rotary Club, added, “It is an honor to remember Kevin by presenting this festival, and to show the community the type of service Rotarians support.”
The first two events brought thousands to the park and the downtown Xenia area. The city again welcomes the opportunity to help host the festival, which will be held concurrently with First Fridays.
“The City of Xenia is excited to support the Kevin Sonnycalb Memorial Fireworks Festival again this year,” said City Manager Brent Merriman. “We recognize that thousands of Xenians and visitors from the surrounding area attend the festival and the First Friday event, thereby supporting our local economy and fostering incredible community pride. As a result, we are pleased to provide essential police, fire, public service, and marketing assistance to ensure that the festival is a safe, clean, and enjoyable event for all.”
Sponsors of the activities to be held at Shawnee Park include the John E. and Betty Jo Meyers Family Foundation, Stephan Family, HB Electric and Construction, Dodds Monuments, Reichley Insurance, Greene County Board of Developmental Disabilities/Four Oaks, Montgomery Insurance and Investments, Anderson-Williamson Insurance, MacIlvaine Realtors and the Xenia YMCA. Xenia’s Board for Recreation, Arts, and Cultural Activities in partnership with Faith Community Church will present the movie in park. Two festival activities are still available for sponsorship and anyone interested in becoming a sponsor should contact Sarah Amend at 937-477-8898.
