What began as an annual party at Kyle and Samantha Quillen’s home has grown into a major community event featuring national musical acts, family activities, an elaborate fireworks production and a mission to give back to Tuscarawas County.
Five years ago, the Quillens moved the event to Wilkshire Golf Course, the Bolivar golf course they own, and Sparks of Giving has continued to grow from there.
This year’s Sparks of Giving will be held Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Wilkshire Event Center in Bolivar.
“Really born out of the annual kind of party that we hosted for ourselves at our house,” Kyle Quillen said. “The community pushed back and came to us and was like, ‘This thing’s awesome,’ and so we decided to make it a community-driven event.”
For Quillen, the idea behind Sparks of Giving remains relatively simple: bring people together for a memorable night while raising money for causes that benefit the area.
“It really is about getting the community out together for a great night, family friendly, but with a cause behind it,” Quillen said. “The cause is really to raise dollars for charity.”
Proceeds from Sparks of Giving directly support the Zoar View Foundation, which works to improve the lives of individuals and families throughout Tuscarawas County by supporting initiatives focused on education, health and wellness and stronger communities.
Quillen said keeping the money raised close to home is an important part of the foundation’s mission.
“It’s important for us that our dollars stay local in the community,” Quillen said. “We don’t give to organizations that take those dollars to somewhere else in the country. We want our dollars to stay local here.”
Last year, the foundation made a donation to Akron Children’s Hospital that Quillen said was specifically focused on behavioral and mental health services in Tuscarawas County. According to Quillen, the support helped the hospital add additional behavioral and mental health hours.
The charitable mission is paired with an event organizers are working to make unlike anything else regularly offered in northern Tuscarawas County.
This year’s featured musical lineup includes Avery Anna, Ian Harrison and country duo Love & Theft.
Anna comes to Bolivar after recently being named New Female Artist of the Year at the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards. She has built a growing following with songs including “Narcissist,” “Mr. Predictable” and “Blood Runs Thicker,” in addition to collaborations including “Indigo” with Sam Barber and “Turned Into Missing You” with Max McNown.
Love & Theft, made up of Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson, broke onto the national country scene with “Runaway” before earning a No. 1 hit with “Angel Eyes.” The duo is also known for songs including “Whiskey on My Breath” and “Runnin’ Out of Air.”
Additional live performances are scheduled from Gunner Stevens, Spair Jordans and Homeroom Hangover, along with DJ Pinke and DJ EV.
Quillen said organizers intentionally sought a mix of established performers and emerging artists.
“You’ve got kind of the older guard with Love and Theft, who have a whole bunch of hits,” Quillen said. “Then you’ve got Ian and Avery who are on the upshot, and I don’t think you’ll be able to see them in as intimate of a setting maybe ever again.”
The music is only part of the experience.
Sparks of Giving will feature approximately 12 to 15 food trucks, vendors, beer and alcohol sales, bounce houses and other family-friendly activities throughout the day.
General admission is $20 plus a ticketing fee, while children under 12 are admitted free.
Quillen said the idea is for attendees to get much more than admission to a concert or fireworks show.
“For those dollars, there’s all kinds of activities throughout the entire day,” Quillen said. “You’re not just going to a concert or you’re not just going to a fireworks show. You’re going to something that’s got all kinds of stuff that you can do.”
And when it comes to fireworks, Quillen is quick to make a distinction.
“It’s not a fireworks show; it’s an actual production,” he said.
The production incorporates fireworks choreographed to a custom music track along with lighting, cryogenic effects and other production elements. Quillen said last year’s production included the largest fireworks shell shot in Ohio.
“We want to put on a great production,” Quillen said. “We want to do something that really hasn’t been done.”
He said continually expanding the production also serves a broader purpose for Bolivar and northern Tuscarawas County.
“What we’re trying to really do is attract folks into our area,” Quillen said. “The more things that we add, I think the more people want to be here.”
A VIP experience is also available and includes unlimited curated food and drinks, a petting zoo, several bounce houses, mini golf, a DJ and dancing, valet parking and premium locations for the concerts and fireworks. VIP guests also have access to auction items offered during the event.
New for 2026 is the Sparks Scramble, a golf outing benefiting Tusky Valley youth wrestling and football.
The scramble will also be held Aug. 29 at Wilkshire Golf Course. Check-in and setup begin at 7 a.m., with a shotgun start scheduled for 8 a.m.
For Quillen, the long-term goal extends beyond one night or one year.
“What we’re trying to do here is build something that lasts over the course of several years,” Quillen said. “I think we’ve done a great job of it, and I think the community rallies.”
And for someone still deciding whether to make the trip to Bolivar, Quillen said the combination of entertainment and community impact is what makes the event worth attending.
“Very, very seldom in our area do you have this much stuff going on at one location in one night,” he said.
Then there is the reason behind it all.
“Come out and support your community as a whole,” Quillen said. “Be with your friends, be with your family, and see something that you’re going to talk about for years to come.”
