Fireball Festival will be back in 2021

The popular Fireball Festival in Crescent City didn’t happen this year, but the stories and memories of Father’s Day 1970 are always gonna be there.

The 50th anniversary of the Father’s Day train derailment and explosion was sidetracked this year – due to the COVID-19 crisis. But the memories of that tragic day triggered a lot of reminiscing by town-folks and many, many volunteer firemen who answered the call on that Sunday morning.

To this day, people still can’t believe no one was killed when that 109-car Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroad freight train jumped the track, triggering a series of explosions that sent debris in all directions. The small Iroquois County town was messed up, reports had nine tank car explosions feeding fire after fire and destroyed much of the town’s structures. Historical documents refer to 66 injuries.

The mushroom-cloud of fire and smoke etched in the minds of so many people…TODAY, sets the tone for the Fireball Festival – which really is a painful memory, yet celebrates the Crescent City spirit. The community rebuilt, the businesses thrived, and the towns-folks are still a smiling bunch that stand tall and proud.

The 50-year anniversary of the Fireball Festival may have been postponed this past weekend. But plans are on for next year. And that town’s people will still, and always, be standing tall and proud.

94.1 WGFA