Rain doesn't stop fireworks display
Display location:Grand Haven
City:Grand Haven
State: WI
Date:Aug 1st.
Contact: news@grandhaventribune.com
Details: The ground may have been damp Saturday night from the afternoon rain, but spirits were high as thousands of people lined the streets to watch the fireworks show in the evening. "I was thrilled," said Mike Smith, Executive Director of the Coast Guard Festival. "Everything was on track and on cue. The weather was iffy but we worked with it and that all worked out fine." Sgt. Randy Poel of Grand Haven's Department of Public Safety said the vast majority of the festival is normally trouble free. He said police were out at 9 a.m. Saturday to start setting up traffic control for the parade. "It's my favorite work week of the year," Poel said. "I had the opportunity to take it off but I wanted to work. You get a chance to see people you haven't seen in years and it's a neat way to give back to the Coast Guard." The crowd stood in silent respect as the U.S. Coast Guard Honor Guard, led only by police motorcycles, performed their drills. Following them were 160 parade entries, treating the crowd to almost an hour and a half of entertainment. Kids were delighted and dove for candy as Meijer, the parade sponsor, had its workers tossing out treats from their antique truck. Three different marching bands, including the U.S. Coast Guard band, made their way through the parade providing a festive sound throughout the morning. Nate and Shyle Lyons traveled all the way from San Diego, Calif., to enjoy the Coast Guard Festival. They lived in Grand Haven until two years ago. "We really like being back in Grand Haven and seeing everyone that we missed," Shyle Lyons said. "I'm glad we were able to come home for the best week of Grand Haven's summer. We've been looking forward to the parade and the fireworks for awhile now." Her husband, Nate, also enjoyed being back in town because of the neighborly feel of the city and the nostalgia of the festival. "It's been nice to see familiar faces when I come down the street," he said. "It's especially like that during Coast Guard. It's one of my favorite times of the year." The Scottville Clown Band kept the excitement going all the way until the end of the parade. At the end, they stopped and performed to entertain people of all ages. The promised musical fountain show and evening fireworks display kept people in Grand Haven for most of the day, where they could enjoy the craft fair and the many restaurants that had more than an hour wait list. The rain stopped and by around 7 p.m. the overcast skies were gone. "We don't know exactly how many people were there," Smith said. "But we know that it was a lot." The fireworks, which lasted more than 15 minutes, filled the sky with an array of colors as people cheered for their favorites. When the final firework made its mark, everyone who was seated near the waterfront burst into applause. "The rain probably had an effect," Smith said. "But what matters is that the fireworks were spectacular and if people left they missed a great show."
City:Grand Haven
State: WI
Date:Aug 1st.
Contact: news@grandhaventribune.com
Details: The ground may have been damp Saturday night from the afternoon rain, but spirits were high as thousands of people lined the streets to watch the fireworks show in the evening. "I was thrilled," said Mike Smith, Executive Director of the Coast Guard Festival. "Everything was on track and on cue. The weather was iffy but we worked with it and that all worked out fine." Sgt. Randy Poel of Grand Haven's Department of Public Safety said the vast majority of the festival is normally trouble free. He said police were out at 9 a.m. Saturday to start setting up traffic control for the parade. "It's my favorite work week of the year," Poel said. "I had the opportunity to take it off but I wanted to work. You get a chance to see people you haven't seen in years and it's a neat way to give back to the Coast Guard." The crowd stood in silent respect as the U.S. Coast Guard Honor Guard, led only by police motorcycles, performed their drills. Following them were 160 parade entries, treating the crowd to almost an hour and a half of entertainment. Kids were delighted and dove for candy as Meijer, the parade sponsor, had its workers tossing out treats from their antique truck. Three different marching bands, including the U.S. Coast Guard band, made their way through the parade providing a festive sound throughout the morning. Nate and Shyle Lyons traveled all the way from San Diego, Calif., to enjoy the Coast Guard Festival. They lived in Grand Haven until two years ago. "We really like being back in Grand Haven and seeing everyone that we missed," Shyle Lyons said. "I'm glad we were able to come home for the best week of Grand Haven's summer. We've been looking forward to the parade and the fireworks for awhile now." Her husband, Nate, also enjoyed being back in town because of the neighborly feel of the city and the nostalgia of the festival. "It's been nice to see familiar faces when I come down the street," he said. "It's especially like that during Coast Guard. It's one of my favorite times of the year." The Scottville Clown Band kept the excitement going all the way until the end of the parade. At the end, they stopped and performed to entertain people of all ages. The promised musical fountain show and evening fireworks display kept people in Grand Haven for most of the day, where they could enjoy the craft fair and the many restaurants that had more than an hour wait list. The rain stopped and by around 7 p.m. the overcast skies were gone. "We don't know exactly how many people were there," Smith said. "But we know that it was a lot." The fireworks, which lasted more than 15 minutes, filled the sky with an array of colors as people cheered for their favorites. When the final firework made its mark, everyone who was seated near the waterfront burst into applause. "The rain probably had an effect," Smith said. "But what matters is that the fireworks were spectacular and if people left they missed a great show."
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