Medina sets off Fourth of July celebrations with annual fireworks festival

MEDINA — Approximately 5,000 people were anticipated to attend Medina's fireworks festival in front of the Medina Recreation Center on Thursday. Rec Center Superintendent Christy Moats said the event started a little more than 20 years ago, and came back after the pandemic. Each year the event changes slightly and gets a little bigger. "The city of Medina shoots their fireworks off over the high school, so we thought we would use our front yard and have a party for the community," she said. This year's fireworks festival had carnival games, a foam party, inflatables, mechanical rides, food trucks and vendors from the community, Moats said. Guests could meet cats at the Alleycats and Aristocats adoption event inside the rec center, or see ducks, a turkey and a calf up close at the petting zoo held by Spring Mist Farms. "We try to do something for all ages," she said. "We do have three live bands playing rock 'n' roll music, so that's great for adults." The event kicks off the city of Medina's Fourth of July events. Moats said it also allows members of the community to come together and see familiar faces. "It's fun seeing our old lifeguards (who worked here) when they were 16," she said. "Now they have kids on their own, and they're here with their kids." Moats said she hopes visitors makes lifelong memories at the fireworks festival "What is really awesome is when you hear people say, 'My family goes there every year, and this is our spot. This is where we watch the fireworks together," she said. "When you see grandmas and grandchildren coming together, and they're been doing it for years, it's just fun." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.