By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
“It was just kinda thrown together in three hours,” Jared Lengerich chuckled, referring to last Saturday’s fireworks show which proved to be extremely popular and a major hit on social media.
Lengerich, owner-operator of West End restaurant in Decatur, decided it would be a great way to honor the eatery’s 140th birthday. He was put in touch with Nate Stimpson and then everything came together rather quickly.
The fireworks went up over the K of C’s home building at the southeast end of the city, the parking lot filled with local and area folks.
“I just decided to do it,” Lengerich told WZBD.com. “It (the decision) was on a Sunday. So, yeh, it was thrown together rather quickly”
K of C officials played an integral role, approving the free use of the parking lot and its facilities. “The K of C was really good about it,” Lengerich said.
“Jared and everyone at the West End were celebrating 140 years in business, and with this being our nation’s 250th Independence Day, he wanted to give something back to the community by hosting a free fireworks display,” Stimpson said.
“A lot of families don’t have the time, money, or ability to put on fireworks themselves, so we thought it would be great to provide another opportunity for people to gather, celebrate, and enjoy the holiday together.
“At the end of the day, this event had two simple goals: provide a safe environment for spectators and give families a free evening of entertainment to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.”
WHO ARE YOU? Lengerich didn’t know Stimpson previously.
“I didn’t even know Nate at all,” he explained. “I reached out to Chris Caston, who has some licensing, and he put me on to Nate.”
Lengerich had strong words of praise for his staff and for Stimpson, who operates 50 Cal Fireworks.
“ Jared had reached out to me about putting something together for July 4. With the original (Chamber of Commerce) display being moved to July 2 … the Fourth was suddenly open,” Stimpson explained.
“Because it all came together at the last minute, the show was an all-consumer 1.4G display made up entirely of cakes,”Stimpson continued. “Even so, thanks to Jared’s generous contribution, we were able to put together a fireworks celebration that lasted just over 20 minutes and featured more than 6,500 aerial effects.
“Jared really went above and beyond to make the evening special.”
Lengerich had no co-sponsors, handling the show’s expenses strictly on his own.
Nor did he take any profits from a food truck brought on the scene by a West End employee.
“He (Jared) made sure there was food available” and also arranged for the use of the K of C’s restrooms, Stimpson pointed out.
So will this become an annual affair? Way to early to tell, Jared says. “At this time, I really can’t say,”
FAMILY AFFAIR: For Nate Stimpson, who put on a fireworks display in the Homestead housing addition a week or so earlier, fireworks are a family affair.
His family, he says, deserves a huge thank-you for helping with the fireworks display, with perimeter control and crowd safety throughout the evening.
“And most importantly, thank you to my wife, Brianna,” he told WZBD.com. “Fireworks season is incredibly demanding, and while I’m gone, she keeps everything running at home with our two boys without ever missing a beat.
“The support of family and friends is what makes weekends like this one (last Saturday) possible. While we were putting on the K of C show, my brother (Andrew) was also shooting a private display in Fort Wayne.
“Even with the short notice, both events were completed safely and without incident.”
“I’d also like to sincerely thank the Knights of Columbus for allowing us to use their property and facilities. Their support played a big role in making the event possible.”
TRUCKIN’: Food was made available through a food truck with ties to the Decatur restaurant.
A new business in town, Curbside Cravings, served it up through the efforts of Jayci Brickley.
Brickley, a 2024 graduate of Bellmont High School, began truckin’ food to sites earlier this year.
Brickley is a West End employee, following in the footsteps of her late grandmother, Anne Gage, who spent numerous years at the facility.
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