Esto plans to hold fireworks show for Fourth of July

cbreaux@kentsmith.biz

Officials and staff with the Town of Esto are gearing up for a festive Independence Day celebration for the community.

Esto will have a fireworks show on the Fourth of July, an upcoming event Fire Chief Cliff Kimble discussed during a monthly Town Council meeting on May 21.

“Y’all wanted to see fireworks again this year,” Kimble said. “From what people are telling me, it’s growing and growing and growing.”

Councilmember Garet Skipper said the fireworks show was “big” last year.

The Town Council and Kimble discussed where people could park for the show. Interim Town Manager Josh Davenport said he would call a property owner near John Clark Park about possibly using a field of his.

Kimble said people could park at the First Baptist Church of Esto and that he talked to Sheriff John Tate about a potential “traffic congestion nightmare.”

“I said we’re probably going to need your help and he said as you get closer, we’ll coordinate things,” Kimble said. “He said if I got to bring auxiliary out, we’ll bring them out.”

Commerce Street could be taped off, with residents being informed ahead of time, Skipper said.

“We’ve got Two-Toed Tom coming up anyway,” Skipper said. “We’re going to have to do the same thing.”

Davenport said taping off Commerce Street for Fourth of July would be a “practice run” for the Two-Toed Tom Festival. Commerce Street was said to only have a few residents. Driveways will be open and it will be ensured no one parks in front of driveways, Skipper said.

“That’s the only option we got,” Skipper said. “Fill up the park, fill up the other side of the park, fill up the street on each side where everybody can still get through. If you got nowhere to park, you’re out of luck. Sit at the church and watch it.”

Skipper said he watched the show last year by Devil’s Lane.

“I don’t mind a lot of people coming. To me, I think it’s cool for the community,” Kimble said. “However, I’m worried we might not have the room. If they do, you might see what sort of congestion you might run into with Two-Toed Tom.”