Jul 4, 2025
NEWTON FALLS — With the Newton Falls police department returning to operations this week, the staff is busy patrolling the July 4 festival, which is expected to draw 25,000 to 30,000 people today for the parade and fireworks display.
Police Chief John Barco stated that the festival provides an opportunity for the public to meet the police officers, who are also handing out stickers to children.
Police will help direct traffic and help pedestrians during both the parade and the fireworks.
The police department began operations Tuesday with Barco as the full-time chief and 20 part-time officers.
Barco said crews have been out on the roads.
The parade is scheduled for 10 a.m. today along West Broad Street, and the fireworks display at 10 p.m. at the park.
The festival runs from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Officer Anthony Vicich said he has worked the festival for a few days and received a lot of comments from people welcoming the police department back, especially from Newton Falls residents.
“We have guys on regular patrol and those who will help direct traffic and do general crowd control during the parade and fireworks. People seem happy to have the department back.” Vicich said.
Officer Timothy Podgorny said a lot of people wave to the officers as they walk through the park.
“Having a general police presence has been missed,” he said. “We are providing basic security and having a presence at the festival. I have had people tell me, ‘Welcome back’ and ‘We missed you guys.”
Fire Chief Jim Williamson said a paramedic has been staffed at the festival each day with an urgent care trailer.
He said the fire department has coordinated with Braceville, Paris, Milton and Warren townships’ fire departments to man the festival today. Extra ambulances will be stationed where needed at the perimeter of the park.
Williamson said a section of the park has been roped off for fireworks.
“We are as prepared as possible,” he said.
FESTIVAL ATTENDEES
Several people were walking through the festival, getting food or watching children on rides.
Jennifer McWhirter, who has lived in the village, said she grew up near the park and can always remember how crowded the park gets on July 4.
“It takes sometimes two hours to get everyone out of the park after the fireworks. The fireworks are great and last a long time,” she said.
McWhirter said the parade is also crowded and sometimes people are two or three rows deep watching from the sidewalks.
Jack Vanorman of Newton Falls said he grew up in the village and played sports at the park, so it is a tradition to come to the summer festival.
“It’s nice to get to see people from the community come together,” he said.
April Vanorman said she grew up in Niles, where she attended an annual summer festival and fireworks at Waddell Park. She said living in Newton Falls, she has enjoyed its summer festival with the food being very popular.
Jared Clonch of Newton Falls had a table set up at the festival. Having grown up in the community, he has always attended the festival.
“Many people come back to town for this, so you get to reunite with people for family events. All the youth sports programs have floats and take part in the parade,” he said.
Jesse Garrett of Tennessee had a novelty booth set up at the festival. He said there are so many people it is hard to walk down the aisles.
“The 3rd gets busy and it is really crowded on the 4th. It’s bonkers with so many people on the 4th,” he said.
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