McCosh Park fills with patriotism

MOSES LAKE — The colors of red, white and blue filled McCosh Park Wednesday when the public came out to celebrate the Fourth of July in Moses Lake.

Approximately 4,000 people were expected to attend the fireworks show at dusk, said Recreation Superintendent Mark Hickok. The night began with food and a free concert by cover band Smash Hit Carnival.

"The whole idea behind this is to have a great community event," Burke Marketing owner Bill Burke, who brought the band to the event, said.

He said they planned to give away 1,300 to 1,500 hot dogs, 1,000 cans of soda and 2,000 pops, potato chips and Popsicles.

"This is a great crowd," Hickok said. "Like Bill was saying, I don't think we've ever had a crowd this big this early."

The Fourth of July had different meanings for different people.

"The Fourth of July is all about patriotism," said Graham, Wash., resident William Reynolds. "My dad is a Vietnam veteran and I've always supported the crew."

Reynolds attended the event with his wife and four children. This is the seventh year they made the trip to Moses Lake specifically during the Fourth of July holiday.

Melissa Reynolds, William Reynolds' wife, said they come to Moses Lake for the people, the sun and the aquatic center.

Moses Lake residents Tiffany Baumgartner and Amanda Morgan said they attended the event to support their brothers, both serving in Iraq.

"(The Fourth of July) means a whole lot, it means love, thinking of my brother and thinking of my grandma too," said Morgan, who noted her grandmother died in May.

Baumgartner and Morgan said they wanted to thank their brothers for their contributions to the country.

"Having family in the armed forces really puts a whole new perspective on the Fourth of July," said Moses Lake resident Jack Farmer.

Farmer said his family members included one prisoner of war and three others who served in the military.

Moses Lake resident Bonnie Hubbard said this was her first year attending the Fourth of July event in McCosh Park.

"They say it's good every year and I've never been here," Hubbard said.

Moses Lake resident Wanda Zieler said she came for the music.

Several additional concerts are planned for the summer, beginning with a Jimmy Buffet tribute performance by Son of a Sailor July 14.