Fireworks return in Newkirk

By ADAM CATLIN
NHJ Editor

July 4 thunderstorms proved to be no match for the first fireworks show in Newkirk in 20 years.
By 7 p.m. Saturday evening, Newkirk residents were already parked and lined up at the old country club for the fireworks to start after sunset. Lightning still was streaking across the sky just before the fireworks show began just after 9 p.m.
The event’s organizer, Richard Hinthorn, an employee of the Newkirk Fire Department, said Sunday morning that he was pleased with the city’s first fireworks event in two decades.
“So far,” he said, “with everyone’s comments and the fight between the storms, it turned out great.”
Close to 125 cars were counted at the event, Hinthorn said.
Reaction to the fireworks show was positive in the community. Sheri Jordan Denson wrote on social media an appreciation to Hinthorn persevering through the weather.
“That is a heavy burden for anyone to carry,” she stated. “Yet there you were, standing in the rain, putting the pieces together and doing everything you could to make the event happen.”
Earlier that evening, the storms had knocked out power to more than 1,000 customers in Kay County. Most customers had their power restored by Monday morning.
Storms caused more havoc that evening to the east in Osage and Washington counties. More than 400 utility customers were still without power Tuesday morning in Washington County, where 92 mile per hour winds brought down trees and power lines and cut short the Fourth of July celebrations there.
Governor Stitt has declared a disaster emergency for Washington County.