Events and Activities : Ten Years and Still Loud and Still Very Proud

The 10th Annual Boomtown Vinton presented by Veridian Credit Union, celebration is happening on Saturday, August 27th…10 years? 10 Boomtowns? That will mark 10 years that I’m sure, for most of us, went by in a flash as big Boomtown’s best! High school and college graduations have happened in 10 years….weddings and grandchildren have happened in 10 years…training wheels transformed into driver’s licenses….and 1 grand night in each of those 10 years we are all together in 1 big-happy-mass, with our eyes to the sky watching what we all know, are the best fireworks between the Atlantic and the Pacific!

10 years ago, the Iowa Pyrotechnic Association came to us with an idea and your Boomtown committee was formed. A group of acquaintances quickly became friends. That first (we weren’t sure if it would become Annual) Boomtown was definitely a ‘shot in the dark’ as to how to do things and what would happen. We knew the fireworks would be outstanding, but we didn’t know how to get people ‘sold’ on the idea of watching a fireworks show at the end of the summer, with no other event or holiday tied in. We met every 3 weeks starting in January and we just kept talking and sharing ideas…and that first year, while not necessarily “full”, the grandstands saw a nice crowd….The second year, we talked some more and then reminded people of the spectacular first year….by the third year, we didn’t have to talk quite so much, people knew the name “Boomtown” when they heard it…our challenge then was getting the news out far and wide about what Vinton has that no one else had ~ Front row seats to the best fireworks anywhere. Seats so close that the heat moves your hair….percussions so big that car alarms go off 6 blocks away. Our goal was to get people from all over, near and far, to come to our town. With the help of the Iowa Pyrotechnic Association members and guests, in year 4, we had cars from at least 9 other states in the parking lot. A number that has continued to grow each year, and I have no doubt that year 10 will beat them all.

Aside from the crowd growing in numbers, everything else grew too. We have grown from 1 food vendor to 17 food vendors. We have grown from having 40 shirts to having 300 shirts and sweatshirts and coozies and blankets. With the help of our corporate sponsor, Veridian Credit Union, we have grown from 2 inch newspaper ads to having 20+ radio and TV commercials and full page Gazette ads.

Yes, Boomtown is all grown up now.

Part of maturing is learning what works and what doesn’t. After our few wrap-up meetings following Boomtown 2015, we have discovered still a few more things that for one reason or another no longer work or need to change a little. The most important of these to make note of: there will no longer be any outside coolers allowed. No coolers will be permitted in the grandstands. Period. This is for the safety of our guests, the comfort of our visitors that are in the grandstands, and out of respect for the Benton County Fair board. Also, after working closely with our local law enforcement, there will once again be directed traffic flow enforced immediately following the show, it may seem to take a little longer, but our officers have an experienced handle on keeping the lines moving. Another notable change, the gates will open at 3:00 this year, as opposed to 4:00 in years past. Like all other years, once you’ve paid the parking, if you come early to reserve your seats and need to leave, you’ll be given a paid parking pass, but spaces will not be reserved. Your Boomtown committee will not be responsible for any items left to mark/reserve your seats in the grandstands. The best way to avoid confusion and space issues? Reserve your seats through the Boomtown committee. Visit our website or Facebook page for more information.

Just over 6 months from now we’ll all be together again in Vinton’s own backyard to share in the excitement of what has become “Boomtown Vinton” and to celebrate the talents and dedication of our own Iowa Pyrotechnic Association. I don’t think anyone is more excited about this than me! See you soon.

As always, should you have any questions, please call 319-558-7476 or contact us through our website: www.vintonboomtown.com