Kirkwood Park District

06/15/2026

Only 8 more spots! So many of you have been showing up strong this past week getting all these spots filled up so quickly! We thank each and every one of you! 🙌🏼

FUNDRAISING ROUND 2 🇺🇸

Fundraising when you’re dealing with government funded agencies can be tricky because there are a lot of laws, rules, and regulations involved. We wanted to make sure everything was done the right and legal way before moving forward.

After speaking with a lawyer yesterday, we officially got the ok to move forward with our grill raffle fundraiser, so let’s try this again! 🙌🏻

We are raffling off a BRAND NEW Blackstone 36” Griddle Grill to help support our community fireworks show celebrating America’s 250th Birthday! 🇺🇸

🔥 $20 per spot
🔥 75 spots total
🔥 Winner drawn June 26th, at the end of the Block Party
🔥 Need not be present to win

COMMENT OR MESSAGE the number(s) you’d like to claim!

AVAILABLE NUMBERS:

1 Kris Kenney
2 Brad Bushong
3 Seahairra Stokes
4 Mike Walters
5 Brad Bushong
6 Martha Ricketts
7 Sarah Elswick
8 Andrew Smith
9 Stacie Hainds
10 Ashley Ward
11 Ross Hall
12 Mike Walters
13 Kristyn Ferch
14 Ruth Smith
15 Dan Watson
16 Brad Bushong
17 Lisa Svob
18 Andrew Smith
19 Gary Teel
20 Lisa Svob
21 Martha Ricketts
22 Becky Wolf
23 Kristyn Ferch
24 Rachel Robbins
25 Ross Hall
26 Ashley Ward
27 Justin Trego
28 Kristyn Ferch
29 Jeff Durbin
30 Martha Ricketts
31 Sarah Elswick
32 Shelley Stombaugh
33 Felicia Simmons
34 Molly Buckley
35 Gary Teel
36 Sean Stevens
37 PJ Thompson
38 Molly Buckley
39 PJ Thompson
40 Gary Teel
41 PJ Thompson
42 Aron Wolf
43 Ali Gavin
44
45 Courtney Hunt
46 Ruth Smith
47 PJ Thompson
48 Sean Stevens
49 Pj Thompson
50 Kris Kinney
51 Kristyn Ferch
52 Janice Hart
53 Charity Thompson
54 Bill Hart
55 Courtney Hunt
56 Tracy Crawley
57 Janice Hart
58 Chris Hart
59 Martha Ricketts
60 Dan Watson
61 Chris Hart
62 Sean Stevens
63 Stacie Hainds
64 Brad Bushong
65 Becky Wolf
66 Kristyn Ferch
67 Justin Trego
68 Brad Bushong
69 Martha Ricketts
70 Gary Teel
71 Sean Stevens
72 Bill Hart
73 Aron Wolf
74 Kassie Farwell Wollbrink
75 Rachel Robbins

Thank you all for supporting our small town and helping us continue traditions for our community. ❤️🤍💙

*If fireworks end up not being possible this year the money will be used towards next year’s show but we are keeping our hopes up fireworks will still be possible this year!*

06/15/2026

Shared post

06/15/2026

One thing we've said is that every voice matters and when concerns are brought to us, we do our best to listen and find solutions.

Yesterday, concerns were raised about transportation, seniors being able to attend, and making sure everyone has a safe way to enjoy the fireworks. Since then, we've been working on solutions.

First, thanks to the generosity of Jon Avery from Averys Pub in Monmouth, we are happy to announce that transportation will be available for those who need a ride to and from Tiny Acres. We would also like to thank Village of Kirkwood Trustee Aaron Ferch, who has graciously volunteered his time to drive attendees using the Pub’s 12 passenger van.

In addition, we reached out directly to Tiny Acres Events regarding accessibility and seating for our senior citizens and those with mobility concerns. We are happy to share that attendees will be able to drive right up to the viewing area, where there is comfortable seating available, including picnic tables and space for lawn chairs. Wheelchairs can also be accommodated, with easy access for viewing.

If you or someone you know may need transportation, assistance, or special accommodations, please reach out to our page directly so we can help make arrangements.

We may not be able to solve every concern that may arise but we want you to know we are listening, we care, and we are committed to making this event safe, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone.

Thank you for helping make this last minute transition possible, especially through your feedback. While only a few have not been in favor, the overwhelming majority have been positive, encouraging, and solution focused. We are grateful for a community that cares enough to share ideas, raise concerns, and work together to make things better.

*We will also be hanging this flyer (with contact info) around town, with the other flyers, in hopes to reach more people!*

06/14/2026

19 Spots Left! We would also like to personally thank Andrew Smith from Driven Nootropics for stepping up and matching Mike Walter's $250 donation challenge! We are officially less than two weeks until our annual block party where we will be announcing the winner if all spots are filled!

FUNDRAISING ROUND 2 🇺🇸

Fundraising when you’re dealing with government funded agencies can be tricky because there are a lot of laws, rules, and regulations involved. We wanted to make sure everything was done the right and legal way before moving forward.

After speaking with a lawyer yesterday, we officially got the ok to move forward with our grill raffle fundraiser, so let’s try this again! 🙌🏻

We are raffling off a BRAND NEW Blackstone 36” Griddle Grill to help support our community fireworks show celebrating America’s 250th Birthday! 🇺🇸

🔥 $20 per spot
🔥 75 spots total
🔥 Winner drawn June 26th, at the end of the Block Party
🔥 Need not be present to win

COMMENT OR MESSAGE the number(s) you’d like to claim!

AVAILABLE NUMBERS:

1 Kris Kenney
2 Brad Bushong
3 Seahairra Stokes
4 Mike Walters
5 Brad Bushong
6 Martha Ricketts
7 Sarah Elswick
8 Andrew Smith
9 Stacie Hainds
10 Ashley Ward
11 Ross Hall
12 Mike Walters
13 Kristyn Ferch
14 Ruth Smith
15 Dan Watson
16 Brad Bushong
17 Lisa Svob
18 Andrew Smith
19 Gary Teel
20 Lisa Svob
21 Martha Ricketts
22 Becky Wolf
23 Kristyn Ferch
24 Rachel Robbins
25 Ross Hall
26 Ashley Ward
27 Justin Trego
28 Kristyn Ferch
29 Jeff Durbin
30 Martha Ricketts
31 Sarah Elswick
32 Shelley Stombaugh
33 Felicia Simmons
34 Molly Buckley
35 Gary Teel
36 Sean Stevens
37 PJ Thompson
38 Molly Buckley
39 PJ Thompson
40 Gary Teel
41 PJ Thompson
42 Aron Wolf
43 Ali Gavin
44
45 Courtney Hunt
46 Ruth Smith
47 PJ Thompson
48 Sean Stevens
49 Pj Thompson
50 Kris Kinney
51 Kristyn Ferch
52 Janice Hart
53 Charity Thompson
54 Bill Hart
55 Courtney Hunt
56 Tracy Crawley
57 Janice Hart
58 Chris Hart
59 Martha Ricketts
60 Dan Watson
61 Chris Hart
62 Sean Stevens
63 Stacie Hainds
64 Brad Bushong
65 Becky Wolf
66 Kristyn Ferch
67 Justin Trego
68 Brad Bushong
69 Martha Ricketts
70 Gary Teel
71 Sean Stevens
72 Bill Hart
73 Aron Wolf
74 Kassie Farwell Wollbrink
75 Rachel Robbins

Thank you all for supporting our small town and helping us continue traditions for our community. ❤️🤍💙

*If fireworks end up not being possible this year the money will be used towards next year’s show but we are keeping our hopes up fireworks will still be possible this year!*

06/12/2026

23 Spots Left! We would like to personally thank the Ricketts-Palmer Family for stepping up and matching Mike Walter's $250 donation challenge! Only two more weeks until our annual block party where we will be announcing the winner if all spots are filled!

FUNDRAISING ROUND 2 🇺🇸

Fundraising when you’re dealing with government funded agencies can be tricky because there are a lot of laws, rules, and regulations involved. We wanted to make sure everything was done the right and legal way before moving forward.

After speaking with a lawyer yesterday, we officially got the ok to move forward with our grill raffle fundraiser, so let’s try this again! 🙌🏻

We are raffling off a BRAND NEW Blackstone 36” Griddle Grill to help support our community fireworks show celebrating America’s 250th Birthday! 🇺🇸

🔥 $20 per spot
🔥 75 spots total
🔥 Winner drawn June 26th, at the end of the Block Party
🔥 Need not be present to win

COMMENT OR MESSAGE the number(s) you’d like to claim!

AVAILABLE NUMBERS:

1 Kris Kenney
2 Brad Bushong
3 Seahairra Stokes
4 Mike Walters
5 Brad Bushong
6 Martha Ricketts
7 Sarah Elswick
8 Andrew Smith
9 Stacie Hainds
10 Ashley Ward
11 Ross Hall
12 Mike Walters
13 Kristyn Ferch
14 Ruth Smith
15 Dan Watson
16 Brad Bushong
17 Lisa Svob
18 Andrew Smith
19 Gary Teel
20 Lisa Svob
21 Martha Ricketts
22 Becky Wolf
23 Kristyn Ferch
24 Rachel Robbins
25 Ross Hall
26 Ashley Ward
27 Justin Trego
28 Kristyn Ferch
29 Jeff Durbin
30 Martha Ricketts
31 Sarah Elswick
32 Shelley Stombaugh
33 Felicia Simmons
34 Molly Buckley
35 Gary Teel
36 Sean Stevens
37 PJ Thompson
38 Molly Buckley
39 PJ Thompson
40 Gary Teel
41 PJ Thompson
42 Aron Wolf
43 Ali Gavin
44
45 Courtney Hunt
46 Ruth Smith
47 PJ Thompson
48 Sean Stevens
49 Pj Thompson
50 Kris Kinney
51 Kristyn Ferch
52 Janice Hart
53 Charity Thompson
54 Bill Hart
55 Courtney Hunt
56 Tracy Crawley
57 Janice Hart
58 Chris Hart
59 Martha Ricketts
60 Dan Watson
61 Chris Hart
62 Sean Stevens
63 Stacie Hainds
64 Brad Bushong
65 Becky Wolf
66 Kristyn Ferch
67 Justin Trego
68 Brad Bushong
69 Martha Ricketts
70 Gary Teel
71 Sean Stevens
72 Bill Hart
73 Aron Wolf
74 Kassie Farwell Wollbrink
75 Rachel Robbins

Thank you all for supporting our small town and helping us continue traditions for our community. ❤️🤍💙

*If fireworks end up not being possible this year the money will be used towards next year’s show but we are keeping our hopes up fireworks will still be possible this year!*

06/12/2026

The Kirkwood Park District would like to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the overwhelming support, encouragement, and kindness we've received from so many people who are excited about preserving old traditions while creating new ones.

All four of us on the Park District are young moms who volunteer our time because we care deeply about this community and the families like our own who call it home. Our goal has always been simply to provide fun and meaningful opportunities for people to come together and make memories.

Like any change, not everyone will agree, and that's understandable. But the support, positivity, and encouragement we've received far outweigh the negativity and that's what keeps us moving forward.

Everything we do is for the community but especially for the children growing up here. They are the future of our town. One day they will be the volunteers, leaders, business owners, and parents shaping the next generation. We want them to grow up in a place they're proud to call home and a community they choose to invest in and stay connected to.

At the end of the day, this has never just been about fireworks. It's about bringing people together, creating memories, building community, and giving families something special to look forward to year after year.

So here's to new traditions, new memories, and a community that continues to come together and support one another.

Thank you, Kirkwood. ♥️

And as always, we'd love to hear your ideas. What events, activities, or traditions would you like to see next year? We truly believe every voice matters within our small community. So feel free to share your thoughts below!

06/11/2026

COMMUNITY IDEA💡

We would love to hear your thoughts because every voice matters.

Today, the Mayor of Little York brought forward an idea that could turn a disappointing situation into something really special, and we'd love to know what the community thinks.

To be clear, this partnership would begin next year as they have their event already set in stone.

This would be something to plan and build for next year and hopefully for many years to come.

The Village of Little York budgets $5,000 for fireworks each year.

The Kirkwood Park District currently budgets $2,500 for fireworks each year.

Since the Village of Kirkwood voted not to continue cohosting the Kirkwood fireworks show, a new idea was suggested.

What if the Village of Little York and the Kirkwood Park District partnered together to create one larger fireworks celebration and bring both communities together?

To explore the idea, I spoke directly with PJ Thompson, owner of Tiny Acres Events, located between Kirkwood and Little York. PJ shared that he would be happy to host a fireworks show on his beautiful 18 acre property and keep the bar open afterward for those who want to stay and enjoy cold drinks, pizza, music or karaoke, and simply enjoy a night out.

Imagine creating a new tradition where two small towns come together for one big celebration

🎇 A bigger fireworks show
🎶 Music and entertainment
🍕 Pizza and cold drinks
🎤 Karaoke and community fun
❤️ Bringing neighbors together and creating new traditions

Instead of two small communities trying to do it all separately what if we worked together to create something even better?

Before anyone moves forward with planning, we'd genuinely like to hear from the people who would attend.

Would you support a cohosted event with the Village of Little York and the Kirkwood Park District firework show and celebration at Tiny Acres ? What would make you excited to attend? What would you like to see included?

Let's hear your thoughts!

06/11/2026

Community Update on the Fireworks Fund

Tonight, the Park District respectfully appeared before the Village Board to ask for one thing, a reconsideration and revote on the $2,500 fireworks fund that was already allocated in the Village budget.

Two months ago, the Village Board voted in favor of the fireworks funding.

Last month, that decision changed, and the request was denied. During that discussion, concerns were raised about finances and whether the Park District could simply cover the Village's portion of the fireworks funding ourselves.

Since then, we have done what we could in a little amount of time.

The community stepped up and helped us go from our $2,500 budget to a total of $4,482 toward our $6,900 goal to provide the same fireworks show as last year.

125 residents signed a petition asking the Village Board to reconsider its decision.

The Park District brought the financial information that had been requested during the previous discussion. We were prepared to show exactly where Park District funds are allocated and why those funds cannot simply be redirected without impacting future maintenance, building repairs, equipment replacement, and long term planning.

Unfortunately, the financial information was shot down and I quote, “we don’t need to see it, our previous decision still stands”. Which doesn’t make much sense when that was part of the whole reason why they voted no last month after discovering our budget which has always been public knowledge so I’m not sure why it’s an issue all of a sudden.

The petition signed by 125 residents was not reviewed or cared about either.

The request for a revote was denied.

Trustee Aaron Ferch attempted to revisit the issue and allow further discussion, but the matter was not allowed to move forward.

What many of us are left wondering tonight is why.

If the concern was the Park District's finances, why was the financial information not reviewed?

If community input matters, why were 125 signatures requesting reconsideration not reviewed?

If the concern was a lack of available Village funds, why was no updated explanation provided when public records show budgeted funds for fireworks, budgeted funds for repairs, budgeted funds toward a future vehicle purchase, and a projected surplus within the Village budget?

Residents have also seen water rates increase twice within the last year, taxes increase, enough money to pay trustees more then the average pay for surrounding communities (if they show up to the meetings or not), making many of us wonder why funding a community event that was already budgeted for is no longer being supported due to “finances”.

Adding to those questions, Village records show a delinquent liquor license fee that was reduced from $3,200 to $800. Whether residents agree or disagree with that decision, it raises understandable questions about priorities when a long standing community tradition is being denied funding that was already allocated for that purpose.

These are fair questions and they are the same questions many residents have been asking for weeks.

This has never been about demanding new money.

This has never been about taking money from another project.

This has been about asking that the $2,500 already budgeted for fireworks be used for the purpose it was originally budgeted for.

The most disappointing part of tonight was not that the answer was no. The most disappointing part was that the community was not given a clear explanation as to why when asked several times.

We sincerely thank Trustee Aaron Ferch for advocating for additional discussion and for being willing to hear the concerns of residents. We also thank every resident who signed the petition, donated, attended meetings, volunteered, shared posts, and supported this effort.

The Park District remains committed to volunteering and serving this community for every family and will continue working to raise the remaining funds needed to keep this tradition alive another year.

Current Fireworks Fund Total: $4,482
Goal: $6,900
Amount Remaining: $2,418

At this point, we know the answer is "no” but the question many of us are still seeking answers to is why. Why wasn't the community given a clear explanation before the matter was closed?

12/18/2025

Saw this and thought I’d share here!