Fireworks finale added to Hawesville’s Light Up the Square with Independence Bank donation
By Jennifer Wimmer
Representatives of Independence Bank’s Hawesville branch presented a $5,750 check at Hawesville City Hall on Monday, Dec. 1.
The check was presented to Hawesville Mayor Rob McCormick, City Clerk Amy Roberts and City Manager Jake Powers.
Bank representatives presenting the check were Kim Harper, market leader; Amy Severs, location manager and loan assistant; and Missy Thompson, loan officer. The Independence Bank donation covers the cost of a fireworks finale for Hawesville’s 2025 Light Up the Square event.
Light Up the Square will be held Friday, Dec. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m., and this year’s theme is “Christmas on the River.”
The evening’s festivities will feature Christmas music, photo opportunities in front of Sunny Daze Sunshine Cafe, Santa Claus and elves with gifts, bike giveaways for several age groups, local food trucks, craft vendors and inflatables.
There will also be an opportunity to make an ornament and hang it on the Christmas tree, and a tree-lighting ceremony in the Hawesville town square, followed by a fireworks finale over the Ohio River. Liberty Pyrotechnics will handle the fireworks display. The company is owned by Alex Mosby of Hawesville.
Mayor McCormick and his administration have organized Light Up the Square every year since he took office. He and his team work to provide a memorable evening for residents by adding something new each December.
“We have wanted to grow it each year, so this year I talked to Mr. Mosby about a fireworks show at the end of the event,” McCormick said. “He put together a price, and Independence Bank covered that entire amount. This will give people another joyful event during that celebration, something to close out the night and show our appreciation. I believe we are going to have 12 craft vendors on site selling their goods and four food trucks. We’ll also have our inflatables that Southwire donates. We’re just looking forward to improving this every year and giving the people something more. Hopefully, we’ll continue to come up with new ideas.”
The fireworks will be launched from the boat ramp, and the display will go on over the Ohio River. The grand finale of fireworks is expected to last 20 to 25 minutes.
McCormick said the historic Rosenblatt Building is being renovated into a restaurant and that demolition of an adjoining section has opened a clear view of the Ohio River for watching the fireworks.
“It’s going to be really nice,” McCormick added. “It’s going to be a big fireworks show, and we’re really looking forward to that. It’s exciting.”
