The Blytheville Youth Sportsplex will be the center of an action-packed Fourth of July weekend celebration in Blytheville.
Starting Friday evening at 6 p.m., Blytheville is hosting the 8-year-old state baseball tournament, the 10-year-old district tournament and the 12-year-old district tournament.
Saturday evening, the Sportsplex will also be the site of the city's Fourth of July fireworks display for the first time, moving from its longtime home, Walker Park.
"I think moving it to (the Sportsplex) will be a positive thing," said Mayor Barrett Harrison. "I think people that just like to stay at home and watch it will still be able to see the display. As a matter of fact, some may be able to see it better because of the distance. Then, the fact that they want to take advantage of the bleachers out at the baseball fields, the concession stand, the restrooms. And there's fantastic parking out there, all the way around the facility, the soccer fields and in the front. Some people may be questioning that move, but I think after the display everybody will agree that it was a really good place to have it."
Harrison said that it was hard to move it from Walker Park, as they did with the recent Relay For Life.
"A lot of people will be disappointed it's moved from Walker Park, but then again, a lot of other people will be happy about it," said Harrison. "I think in the end there will be more positive comments made about the move than negative."
As Harrison said, the Sportsplex concession stands and restrooms will be open to the public. The fireworks display will be launched from near the Noah's Ark Lights of the Delta display near the baseball fields.
City Advertising, Tourism and Promotion Commission chairman Don Houseworth agrees with Harrison on the move to the Sportsplex.
"There is just so much more room and less restricting views," said Houseworth. "This is a win-win situation for everybody."
With the baseball tournaments going on this weekend as well, there is the potential for an even larger crowd for the fireworks display then there has been in the recent past.
"There will be 26 teams participating in the tournament from all over the state," said Blytheville Baseball Softball Boosters Vice President Randy Scott. "We are anticipating an extra 1,000 people in the Blytheville area this weekend. Every team will at least play on Friday and Saturday. We hope that the people from out of town will stick around and watch the fireworks as well. This is a great way for the community to showcase our town."
The extra people from out of town should be a boost to the local economy as well.
"Our hotels are close to full capacity," said Houseworth, who also owns the Holiday Inn, Comfort Inn and Hampton Inn. "We have a several teams from out of town who have made reservations already. We had a meeting with our staff on Monday to prepare them for the weekend. We'll be ready with our Southern hospitality shining."
Mayor Harrison realizes the importance of this weekend to the community.
"It's going to be a big, big weekend for our community, not just for people who enjoy baseball, but for the hotels, the restaurants, the service stations, the convenience stores. Baseball is a big deal. And thanks to that wonderful sports complex that the citizens of Blytheville had us build and pay for, we now are considered to be a little tourist town, just because of baseball."
He said the out-of-towners will be enjoying the fireworks display and the community.
"I just remind everybody to put a big smile on their face and welcome strangers when they see them in town because it has a huge impact on the community, financially," Harrison said. "And it's an opportunity for people to visit Blytheville and go home and talk favorably about our community. That's what's happened the last five years. The impression of Blytheville has changed all over the United States, simply because of the volunteers associated with baseball and our facility out there. It's been great, great thing for Blytheville."
The baseball tournaments begin begin at 6 p.m. Friday evening and will conclude Friday, July 10. Brackets for the tournament are available online at www.blythevilleball.com and on Page 11 of today's edition. Parking for the tournament will be $5 a day but parking for the fireworks display will be free with the show beginning at dusk on Saturday. The concession stand and bathrooms will be open. The Blytheville Police Department will set up check stations entering the facility.
No alcohol or personal fireworks are permitted.
afitzpatrick@blythevillecourier.com