Pyrotechnician Brings 4 Decades of Experience as Fireworks Return to the Area

Fireworks in the city of Kenton return this year after a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The man in charge of setting off the fireworks display brings nearly 40 years of experience.

Mike Comstock started helping with the fireworks at the Hardin County Fairgrounds in 1982.

He became lead pyrotechnician in 1996.

In addition to Kenton, Comstock has also worked on crews or has been the lead pyrotechnician for Forest, Mt. Victory and Red, White and Boom in Columbus for several years.

If that’s not enough, he has also shot off fireworks in Mason City and Amana, Iowa, and he will be doing the show for McGuffey’s 125th celebration in August this year.

As part of the Freedom Celebration in Kenton, Organizer Denna Clem said a parade will be held this Saturday July 3.

It will line up in the parking lot beside Kenton Theater 3 at 9am and will move out starting at 10.

The parade will follow the Halloween parade route, moving east to the east side of the Hardin County Courthouse, north to the north side and will end back at the parking lot.

Clem stated that $17,000 has been raised for the fireworks.

The display will start at 10pm on Sunday July 4 at the fairgrounds, which will be open for parking.

Another favorite spot to view the fireworks is at the Home Run Memorial Park on State Route 292.

The rain date for the fireworks is Monday night July 5.