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 The threatening skies failed to dampen the spirit at the Jerusalem Township community celebration at Maumee Bay State Park Saturday, June 13, which included the Phantom Fireworks 4th Annual Spark-n-Shine Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show as well as the 17th annual Fred Grossman Fireworks Extravaganza hosted by Phantom of Curtice.
Authorities estimate that some 35,000 people visited the park throughout the day, participating in such activities as the Fire Safety Smokehouse for kids with Sparky the Fire Dog, Recycler the Robot from Waste Management, the St. Charles Mercy Hospital Health Van and a Life Flight helicopter landing, among many others. An estimated 12,000 festival-goers stayed for the 10 p.m. fireworks shoot. “We are so happy to have such an awesome response from the community for this year’s show,” said Michelle Jones-Holinko, showroom manager for Phantom of Curtice and organizer of the Spark-n-Shine event. “The people in and around Curtice, Jerusalem Township and Oregon came out in big numbers and showed us, and everyone else, how much this event means to the area.”
Not only were 170 cars, trucks and motorcycles on display for the show at the park, but local government organizations such as the Toledo and Jerusalem Township fire departments and their rescue squad and the Lucas County MRDD board, among others, made the festival very community-oriented. According to Jones-Holinko, the event was not only about community, but also a fun and affordable way for a family and our community to spend a Saturday together. “Maumee Bay State Park is a beautiful venue for this event. “One of our biggest aims for this year’s show was to have a good and free show for families to enjoy,” she said. “We were pleased to offer numerous games kids could play for no charge and still receive prizes and plenty of other no-cost activities for everyone. “We also made sure to emphasize fireworks safety throughout the day to our attendees of all ages,” she added. “Safety is always our biggest priority at Phantom Fireworks, so we even created games that rewarded participants for becoming educated on fireworks safety throughout the day.” Among the lessons on fireworks safety Phantom of Curtice conveyed to the show’s patrons were the danger of illegal explosives, why children should never handle fireworks and setting up a proper shooting site for a fireworks show. The event’s primary beneficiaries were the Jerusalem Township Food Bank and the Jerusalem Township Volunteer Fire Department. In addition to those groups benefiting from the day, the Arc of Lucas County simultaneously conducted its Arc Days at the Park in conjunction with the Spark-n-Shine Car Show. The organization is a nonprofit association made up of people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities, their families, friends, interested citizens and professionals in the disability field. The daylong show raised $2,200 for the Jerusalem Township Volunteer Fire and the Jerusalem Township Food Pantry. Phantom of Curtice is still accepting food donations for the Food Pantry at their Jerusalem Road showroom. “Our sponsors were integral to our putting on such a successful show,” adds Jones Holinko, “So I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Aaron’s Rent-to-Own of Oregon for donating a 42-inch flat-screen TV for the Jerusalem Township Fire Department fund-raiser raffle; Waste Management and Recycler the Robot; Sgt. Steven McCarroll, our Army district recruiter; OZ Digital Photo; Lucky’s Bar and Grill in Oregon; C & C Concessions: Fast Franks; OPA Concession; and Cindy’s Concession for all of their generous support.” She also credited All State Insurance, Auto Zone, B.J.’S Hideaway Steakhouse, BoRic’s Family Haircare Centre, Chowders ‘N More, First Federal Bank, Frisch’s Big Boy, Glaideux Do-it-Home Center, Grogan’s Towne Chrysler Dodge, Maumee Bay Resort & Conference Center, Ralphie’s Sports Eatery, The National Bank of Oak Harbor, Tireman Auto Service Centers, Valvoline Instant Oil Change, Vito’s Pizza # 4, Waste Management, Yeeha’s Buckin’ Bar & Grill, Combing Hair Salon, Toledo Speedway, The Village Pub, Jaclyn Cousino and Maggie Hart. Phantom of Curtice is owned by the B.J. Alan Company - Phantom Fireworks, located in Youngstown, Ohio.
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