Stars and Stripes Festival booming

Oct 13, 2023

The Viola Stars and Stripes Festival was a big success on Saturday with many people coming out and enjoying the festivities.

Saturday in Viola was full of activities for everyone to enjoy. There was a craft show, a parade, concessions, kid’s games, antique engine display, model train display, clogging, a local high school artist, the On the Road Again Show and the night ended with an impressive fireworks display.

Trent Prater, Viola mayor and homecoming president, was very pleased with the turnout.

“It went very, very well from what I can tell. I am super excited that it went over as well as it did. It seemed like there were a lot of people there,” said Prater.

Prater estimates there were more people who showed up this year than did last year. The big draw this year was the 30-minute firework show.

“By the time the fireworks went on, I got up to go somewhere and was like ‘good gravy there are a lot of people here.’ They were all the way up to the bank is the way I understand it,” said Prater. “Apparently ours is one of the longest firework shows there is. Most of them I’ve seen are about 15 minutes and ours ran for at least 30 minutes. It is set to music as well.”

Prater says he received a lot of positive feedback from the show.

“I have had people send me Facebook comments saying that was one of the best firework shows they have ever seen,” said Prater.