SLIDE SHOW: Annual Thunderfest draws thousands

July 4, 2026

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SLIDE SHOW: Annual Thunderfest draws thousands

Published 10:53 pm Friday, July 3, 2026

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Mackenzie Decker holds her 6-month-old daughter Elena Montelongo on her shoulders as they watch the firework show during the annual Hayward Minton Thunderfest hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Bowling Green at Ephram White Park on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Grace McDowell / The Daily News)

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Abby and Blaine, both of Bowling Green, cuddle as they wait for the firework show to begin at the annual Hayward Minton Thunderfest hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Bowling Green at Ephram White Park on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Grace McDowell / The Daily News)

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Jim Keown of Flags for Vets presents an American flag he march 286 miles around Bowling Green to U.S. Air Force veterans Gary and Tracey Reckart to thank them for their service during the annual Hayward Minton Thunderfest hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Bowling Green at Ephram White Park on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Grace McDowell / The Daily News)

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Country music artist Gracee Shriver performs at the annual Hayward Minton Thunderfest hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Bowling Green at Ephram White Park on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Grace McDowell / The Daily News)

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Timinty Victor, 6, of Bowling Green gets her face painted by Sadie Jeannette of Sadie’s Face Painting at the annual Hayward Minton Thunderfest hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Bowling Green at Ephram White Park on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Grace McDowell / The Daily News)

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William Kidd (right) dresses in an American flag bodysuit as he attends the annual Hayward Minton Thunderfest hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Bowling Green with his friend Buddy Proctor (left), dressed in a camouflage bodysuit, at Ephram White Park on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Grace McDowell / The Daily News)

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Eiza Echecerria, 2, of Bowling Green tries to catch bubbles as she attends the annual Hayward Minton Thunderfest hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Bowling Green with her family at Ephram White Park on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Grace McDowell / The Daily News)

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Bennett Zoellick, 7, of Rockford, Ill., snacks on a frozen treat as he stands in line at a food truck with his family during the annual Hayward Minton Thunderfest hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Bowling Green at Ephram White Park on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Grace McDowell / The Daily News)

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Blayk Smith, 2, of Bowling Green snacks on a chocolate ice cream cone as she attends the annual Hayward Minton Thunderfest hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Bowling Green with her family at Ephram White Park on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Grace McDowell / The Daily News)

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Families dance as country music artist Gracee Shriver performs at the annual Hayward Minton Thunderfest hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Bowling Green at Ephram White Park on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Grace McDowell / The Daily News)

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Families watch fireworks explode around them during the annual Hayward Minton Thunderfest hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Bowling Green at Ephram White Park on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Grace McDowell / The Daily News)

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Thousands attended the annual Hayward Minton Thunderfest hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Bowling Green at Ephram White Park on Friday, July 3, 2026, to listen to live music by The Voice contestant Gracee Shriver and other local bands, enjoy treats from various food trucks and watch one of the area’s largest firework shows to celebrate the 250th birthday of America.