Monday, July 4, 2022

Fireworks at Hills – July 4, 1962

Here's hoping you have a safe and happy July 4th Holiday!

And here's a pleasant memory for those of you that grew up or have lived in Lorain: the July 4th Fireworks sponsored by Hills Department Store. The ad above ran in the Lorain Journal back on July 3, 1962.

It's interesting how Hills really made an effort to get you to come out to the store and shop. It really wasn't all that close (it was halfway to Elyria and in South Lorain to boot) but it was a regular stop for the Bradys, especially since it had the layaway option. We bought a lot of clothes and toys there.

I don't know how long the Hills fireworks tradition lasted. I know that we watched fireworks at Hills some years and at George Daniel Field as well. I remember parking at Admiral King High School and walking over there.

Nowadays (I hate to say it) fireworks don't interest me a whole lot. If I'm at a festival that has them (like Sheffield Lake Community Days) then I'm all for them and will stick around. But I'm not sure I would make a special trip anymore to see any, especially if there is a potential hassle getting out of there afterwards.


4 comments:

-Alan D Hopewell said...

Sheffield Shopping Center had fireworks for a while, until a lady was killed during a show by a shell fragment, IIRC.

Mike Kozlowski said...

Alan,

I don't remember anyone killed at Sheffield Center, but I remember a lady killed at Lorain County Speedway by a firework that went horribly wrong. (And was surprised to discover that LCS is still open!)

Don Hilton said...

I grew up in a place with an amusement park that had fireworks every Sunday at 9pm, so they're, like, big whoop, right?

But today's fireworks are really fancy-pants. I watch 'em on youtube, though, because I can't stand all the idiot people.

Though... I might stop by to see something
like this!

-Alan D Hopewell said...

Mike, that could have been it, but I remembered the wrong location.