Fireworks show a success

By Staff, 07/2/18 10:01 AM

PRESCOTT – Area residents enjoyed Friday night’s fireworks show at Cummings Stadium.

The home stands were packed with people ready to see the nocturnal explosions of light and sound, and those present enjoyed listening to the Texas Firewater band out of Texarkana. The food vendors were also popular stops as people munched on wings, burgers, hot dogs and, to help combat the heat, downed plenty of drinks.

Prescott Mayor Terry Oliver welcomed everyone, encouraging them to enjoy the fireworks display. The band rocked the house with a variety of classic rock and country music.

But the reason everyone was there was the fireworks show. Not only were the home stands packed, but the parking lot at Jones Sports Complex was also full of vehicles as people brought lawn chairs to enjoy the spectacle. In addition, the street on the south side of the stadium was filled with cars parked with people gathered for the fireworks show.

The concept came from Jerry Hightower, a member of the Prescott City Council, who convinced the panel to appropriate $3,000 for a fireworks show. He contacted a supplier for the fireworks, with the rest of the festivities turned over to the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce.

Jamie Hillery, executive director, contacted food vendors and searched for a live band to perform at the show. One of the vendors that had agreed to be present, was unable to as the owner suffered from heat exhaustion earlier Friday and was unable to be there. This didn’t seem to bother the fans as they lined up at the wings truck, the Lions truck and the Prescott High School Band Booster concession stand before the show began.

Earlier in the day, Hillery and Hightower worked out a plan to set off the first volley of fireworks when Hank Crain, who sang the national anthem, reached the part about the “rocket’s red glare”. Though the sound was slightly muffled, the plan went off without a hitch as the first fireworks went skyward right on cue.

From there, it was almost a constant explosion of light and sound as the volunteers setting off the fireworks went up and down the lines lighting fuses to keep things going. The night sky above the baseball field was kept well lighted with the explosions, and everyone attending appeared to have a good time.

The display could also seen well away from the stadium.