AMERICAN LEGION TO HOST 89th ANNUAL FIREWORKS DISPLAY AT HOMECOMING

Centralia American Legion Post #446

117 S. Poplar St., Centralia IL

618-532-5910

americanlegionpost446@yahoo.com

Featuring a carnival, car show, and time-honored fireworks display, the Centralia American Legion Post #446’s annual Fourth of July Homecoming in Fairview Park will bring four evenings of celebration to the greater community.

Wayne Sensel of the American Legion said the fireworks display, held at 10:00pm Friday, is a Centralia tradition dating back almost nine decades.

“We have been doing the fireworks since 1937. There have only been two times we haven’t done it, and that was during World War II and during COVID,” Sensel explained. “We had a very good show last year, and we have the same company coming back this year.”

The Homecoming will kick off with the carnival, which will be held July 1 through July 4, with rides and attractions open from 6:00pm until 10:00pm each night.

“We’ve got the large ferris wheel back this year, which is always a large attraction,” said Wayne Sensel of the American Legion. “We’ll also have the rest of the carnival rides and food stands in the park.”

Registration for the Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show will begin at 9:00am Friday, in the park, with judging beginning around noon.

Sensel said the Fourth of July Homecoming began as a way to welcome veterans back home after service overseas, and that he and the American Legion will continue referring to the event under its original title.

“They originally called it a homecoming because they were welcoming the veterans back from war,” Sensel explained. “I like to continue calling it the homecoming, because we are still welcoming veterans back, even today.”

“We want to reach out to our veterans, give them a hand up, and let them know that they are not forgotten and that we think the world of them…we are very sincere about what we do for our veterans.”