Appalachian Banner Academy Creates Fireworks Lounge

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – Every year, Johnson City hosts the Pepsi Independence Day fireworks show. This year, the event will offer a new relaxation room for those in need.

“We have a new sensory space for people with autism and PTSD,” said Freedom Hall Executive Director Mark Stone. “This is a difficult holiday for them and we wanted to accommodate that.”

To set up the room, Pepsi reached out to Mikael Gouge, principal of Appalachian Banner Academy in Johnson City. The academy is a private school that serves children with autism and other developmental disabilities. Gouge said she was excited about the opportunity.

“I loved this idea for my students,” Gouge said. “And for kids around the world who might have been excluded from an event like this in the past, to have a space to come and calm down if they need it.”

Gouge’s son, Tyson, is also autistic. As a parent, this new room will allow his son to experience fireworks.

“I’ve never taken him to see the Fourth of July fireworks,” Gouge said. “This year he’s going to come because I know if he gets overwhelmed, he can calm down.”

Gouge isn’t the only parent who benefits from the space. Lindsey Thompson’s son, Cameron, is a student at the academy. Thompson said that while Cameron loves fireworks, he doesn’t always react well to the noise.

“He’s seen them on a very small scale,” Thompson said. “He loves fireworks, but he could never handle something like this. So having this, it’ll allow him to go. And if we need to calm down and we just need a minute, even because of the heat, it’ll make a huge difference.”

For Thompson, the inclusiveness created by the space is immeasurable.

“Having our kids participate in activities like this means a lot to us,” Thompson said.

Gouge said she was grateful to Pepsi for giving her the opportunity to create the quiet room at Freedom Hall, which will be available throughout the event.