UNT celebrates 4th of July at Apogee Stadium
Joshua Knopp / Staff Writer
Blake Munhollon turned 8 years old today. For the past four years, his family’s birthday tradition has been to head out and enjoy the Kiwanis Fireworks Show, hosted this year at UNT’s Apogee Stadium at 9:30 p.m.
“Every year for four years,” his father, James, said. “Hopefully it’s the same as it was last year.”
According to Carl Standridge of Liberty Pyrotechnics, who deployed the fireworks and has worked with Denton’s Kiwanis chapter for the past decade, Thursday’s show was different — bigger.
“We’re going to be able to shoot a little larger pyro. We have a little more room,” he said. “We think we’re going to be able to put on a better show here.”
With Fouts Field being demolished, Thursday’s show is the first time Apogee hosted the pyrotechnics display.
Standridge said while shooting off fireworks, crews generally need to section off a 70 foot radius per inch of the firework shell. So, for five-inch shells, the crew would need to section off 350 feet. With more room in the parking lot East of Victory Hall, Standridge said he and his crew could use bigger fireworks, which they did.
“It’s going to be bigger,” he said, grinning.
Standridge said next year they would try even bigger shells.
Deputy athletic director Henry Dickenson is a member of the Denton Kiwanis Club, and has coordinated the show for 12 years. He said that between dues and contributions from the audience, the club can put on an expensive show.
“We’re burning about 20 grand worth of pyro tonight,” he said. “Most of these big shows that you see require about 20 grand.”
Dickenson said that for this day, the show is well worth the cost.
“I think on the Fourth of July when you’re celebrating freedom, it’s kind of a fantastic way to honor those who have done things at war for our country,” he said. “Fireworks on the Fourth of July… it doesn’t get much better than that.”
File Photo by Chelsea Stratso
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