Hundreds flock to enjoy colorful fireworks show

Published 2:30 pm Thursday, July 11, 2019

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Hundreds of spectators gathered in Tiger Stadium last Friday night to enjoy a dazzling pyrotechnic display with friends and family as part of a slightly belated Independence Day tribute.

Fireworks Friday, a cooperative effort between the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Greenville, allowed Butler County residents to once again enjoy a large-scale fireworks display in the Camellia City.

Due to the north Alabama-based pyrotechnic company providing the Greenville fireworks each summer having a conflict in their schedule on July 4, this year’s event, typically celebrated on the Glorious Fourth, was moved to the closest possible date, just one day later than Independence Day.

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As usual, the Chamber’s Camellia Girls and Chamber Pages were on hand to greet attendees and pass out patriotic-themed necklaces, hats, toys and more as upbeat tunes boomed through the loudspeakers. A giant American flag, provided by Amy and Darren Bryan and displayed in front of the visitors’ stand, set the star-spangled mood for the evening.

The Greenville High School JROTC Color Guard kicked off the event with the  presentation of colors. At 8:30 p.m., Chamber Director Tracy Salter, overseeing the event from her perch in the press box, requested everyone join her in a countdown to the big event.

“Five, four, three, two, one…”

The 14-minute show drew many approving “oohs” and “aahs” from the crowd. Folks in lawn chairs and on blankets surrounding the field craned their necks to take in the vivid colors exploding overhead. As the display drew to an end, applause and cheers could be heard in response to Greenville’s 15th annual fireworks show.

“This year was definitely another success,” Salter said. “We had several hundred watching from the stands, plus more on the field and those outside the stadium, viewing from different vantage points around town.”

Mounting the annual summer event is no small undertaking, Salter said.

“So much time, effort and investment goes into putting on a show like this,” she concluded. “I am so thankful for the chamber volunteers, our Camellia Girls and Chamber Pages, the City of Greenville employees and the Greenville PD. Because of everyone’s hard work and dedication, we had another wonderful event right here in our hometown this summer.”