Fourth of July Fireworks Festival

The Lighthouse Community Church
Harpersville, Alabama

 How can a small church or a large church reach hundreds, even thousands, at an event and have fun doing it? Try this outreach idea: A Fireworks Festival for the Fourth on the Sunday night before the Fourth of July. No matter your church size…this event can work for you.

The event: A night of family fun complete with music, free food, games for all ages, and a fireworks display.

THE COST: We spent $2,500 for this past event and reached over 2,000 people.

THE PURPOSE: Provide a family-friendly community event, develop relationships for future ministry opportunities.

THE BREAKDOWN:
Plan early and plan big. Advertising is key. Make sure to communicate the event early and that it’s free for the whole family. A mail-out and flyers posted throughout the community spreads the word fast. Plan for a big fireworks display (no sparklers here). Most of our expense has been on fireworks. Nothing kills the program like lame fireworks. Usually a 15-minute show is long enough but requires a lot of fireworks. Check to see if your city requires a license for a fireworks display and secure all needed documents early.

Enlist volunteers. You will need people to organize the parking, flow of the crowd, food preparation and service, games supervision, registration, greeters, and cleanup.

Ask for donations. We have been able to have almost all our food donated. Don’t be afraid to ask local vendors for their support as they usually are looking for ways to get involved. During the event serve simple foods like hotdogs, chips and canned drinks. Have giveaways donated by local businesses—registration for prizes helps to secure names and contact information for follow-up.

Remember who you’re trying to reach: People will come “just as they are” so don’t be surprised. When you embrace the community, they will dress and act like the community. This is an event to establish rapport for future ministry.

Plan the program. We start about two hours before sunset with games, food, and live music. Some rented inflatable games are great while others can be very simple and fun. The key is to have games for all ages. We have found that dividing our campus into age appropriate areas helps for safety issues, flow of crowds, and protection for the “little ones.” We use a flat bed truck for an outside stage. The music is a mixture of tunes—inoffensive but attractive to the community (usually a band not a choir or soloists). Make sure the style you choose reaches the community of lost people. Just as the sun is going down we have a drawing for prizes. After the sun sets…the fireworks begin! The total program lasts about two and a half hours which is long enough in the sun!

Safety. Do everything to provide a safe and secure environment for the family. We have the local police department very visible and the fire department and paramedics on scene (remember it is July and can be very hot). We have other security personnel roaming the campus for extra security. Make sure that persons providing the fireworks display are qualified (probably not a good ministry for most junior high students). Provide water stations so everyone can cool off. Have plenty of trash cans available.

Follow Up. After the event you will have registration cards for future contact. Be brief and specific on the registration card. Try to send every family a “Thank You” card, complete with information about your church and dates of upcoming events. To reach a community, people must learn that your church cares and is willing to go the extra mile.