The 45th edition of Thunderfest will be July 1 at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green.

When Kiwanian Charles Ewan looks back at his 11 years of volunteering for the big fireworks display and more, he recalls the time the lights wouldn’t go out before the big show.

The 64-year-old Alvaton resident said he was in charge one year of dousing the lights. When he went to the light panel switches, nothing looked like a good option.

“It looked like 9 million switches,” Ewan said Thursday at a gathering to announce details of this year’s Thunderfest. Eventually, the right switch was found, he said.

Citizens First Bank extended its event sponsorship to a seventh year and presented the Bowling Green Kiwanis Club with a $15,000 check representing that commitment.

Gates open at 4 p.m. July 1, according to Danette Neel Idlett, who is serving in her second year at event chairman, with activities to start at 5 p.m. She said it takes upwards of $20,000 to hold Thunderfest.

“It is an awesome sight to see everyone in the community coming together,” Idlett said.

The Kiwanians’ goal is to raise about $60,000 for about 30 nonprofit groups in the community that serve children.

Ewan enjoys volunteering each year. The Kiwanis Club has 110 members and works with other volunteers to set up concessions, arranging the parking and a way to take gate receipts from patrons.

“It is the only place around that has that extensive of a Fourth of July fireworks display,” said longtime volunteer Tony Witty, 60, of Bowling Green, who is both a Kiwanian and also serves as an ambassador for the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce.

“We can get up to 14,000 people, and the fireworks are more than an hour,” Witty said.

The rain date for Thunderfest is July 2, and the entry fee is $20 per carload. Events include music, a hot-dog eating contest, and the “Red, White and Tunes” contest. There are $10 wristbands for children’s inflatables.

Music to accompany the Thunderfest celebration is broadcast live by SAM100.7 FM from 4 to 6 p.m.

Witty and Ewan recalled that sometimes a Thunderfest has a moment that’s more memorable than other years. Each year, the volunteers work with inmates from the Warren County Regional Jail in setting up things for the concert and other activities.

About a decade ago, one inmate working decided he’d leave early and with a volunteer’s car. The driver and car were later found in Texas, the two men recalled.

“I just have a great time,” Ewan said of volunteering. “Just don’t put me in charge of the lights.”

—Information about Thunderfest is available at https://www.facebook.com/bgkiwanis/

— Follow business reporter Charles A. Mason @BGDNbusiness or visit bgdailynews.com.