A celebration of generosity and family fun is set to light up Bolivar this weekend as the Sparks of Giving Festival returns to the Wilkshire Event Center on Saturday.
The daylong event, powered by the ZoarView Foundation, will feature live music, family activities and one of the region’s largest fireworks shows. But for co-founder Kyle Quillen, who started the festival with his wife, Samantha, it’s about more than entertainment.
“This is a community-driven day of giving,” Quillen told Jordan Miller News. “Every dollar raised goes right back into causes that matter locally, from children’s hospitals to schools. We want people to come out, have fun and know they’re part of something bigger.”
A growing tradition
The Sparks of Giving Festival is celebrating its fourth official year and has quickly become one of Tuscarawas County’s signature community events.. The festival has helped fund a wide range of initiatives, including a major donation to Akron Children’s Hospital to support behavioral and mental health services.
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“What started as a simple fireworks show has turned into something far beyond what we imagined,” Quillen said. “The community has embraced it, and because of that, we’ve been able to expand our giving each year.”
Family fun and big-sky moments
This year’s lineup includes live performances from Gunnar Stevans, SpAIR Jordans, Home Room Hangover, DJ Pinke and DJ E-V. Families will also enjoy inflatables, games, a touch-a-truck event, and — weather permitting — a MedFlight helicopter landing and a hot air balloon night glow.
“The idea is to have something for everyone,” Quillen said. “Whether you’re a kid bouncing in the inflatables, a parent enjoying live music, or a family watching the fireworks together — there’s a memory waiting to be made.”
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The festival grounds open at 3 p.m., with bands taking the stage at 4 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m., featuring more than three tons of pyrotechnics — including a 12-inch shell that Quillen said will be “unlike anything else in the region.”
“When that first shell goes off and the sky lights up, you can feel the energy of the crowd,” he said. “It’s a reminder of why we do this — to bring people together.”
Free fun, VIP experience
General admission is free, with food trucks and local vendors stationed throughout the event. For those seeking a premium experience, the VIP package costs $125 per adult and includes valet parking, prime seating, an open bar, the petting zoo, a charity auction and an after-party with a taco spread. Auction items include a guitar signed by country star Morgan Wallen.
“The VIP party is a way for us to create an extra experience while raising more money for charity,” Quillen said. “We’ve had incredible support from sponsors and local businesses who believe in the mission.”
Quillen stressed that the VIP area is designed for families, not just adults. “The VIP experience is really for everyone,” he said. “We’ve made sure it has kid-friendly activities right alongside the premium seating and amenities. It’s a place where the whole family can relax, enjoy, and still be part of the mission.”
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A mission rooted in giving
From school programs to holiday toy drives, the ZoarView Foundation has built its mission around reinvesting in the community. Quillen said the Sparks of Giving Festival has become a way to gather people together, celebrate generosity and remind Northeast Ohio of the power of giving.
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“At the end of the day, it’s about building a tradition,” Quillen said. “We want families to leave with memories, and we want to make sure the proceeds go right back into helping others. That’s what makes all the work worth it.”
Event details
The Sparks of Giving Festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Wilkshire Event Center, 474 Jeanne Anne Lane, Bolivar.
Although general admission is free, organizers are asking guests to secure a ticket in advance to help with planning. Free tickets can be reserved at this Eventbrite link.
