Fireworks sparkle above waterway Fireworks marking Independence Day at the Columbus Lock and Dam shine down on the thousands of people watching from the shore and along the waterway Saturday night. / Luisa Porter/Dispatch Staff
Dan King camped out on a blanket to see the Fireworks on the Water for the first time Saturday, and he knew he was in the right place.
"I don't make enough effort to do enough like this," said King, 56, an hour before the fireworks were set to go off. He was looking forward to the show, but being around people he didn't know was a higher priority.
Events like Fireworks on the Water "bring the community together" and help everyone unite and move forward, said King, of Cliftonville.
Sonic Johnson, director of public affairs for the Columbus Air Force Base, estimated King was among 9,000 people who had shown up for the events at the Stennis Lock and Dam, which included music by the band Come On Go With Us, inflatable jumpers and face painting.
Families were scattered everywhere around the circumference of the Lock and Dam, on blankets or in lawn chairs. Children walked about the food court as if they had important things to do. Snow cones, funnel cakes and hamburgers abounded.
Boats on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway were lit up, creating sparkles across the water before the fireworks began.
Midway through the evening, CAFB Col. Roger Watkins took the microphone and congratulated the crowd and wished it a happy birthday.
"We have a great evening (ahead), and we get to celebrate," he said
Watkins reminded the crowd to remember the 47 airmen from the base who were deployed, "preserving the freedom that we're celebrating tonight."
David Berg, 51, rocked in a chair he'd brought, in the minutes before the fireworks began. He said he'd come to "unite with the community and get out of my house." He was anxious to see the show to come.
Danny Cameron, 63, of Ethelsville, Ala., believed a celebration such as the one he was attending was "necessary."
Many problems are plaguing the nation -- unemployment, failing banks and wages holding still, among others, he noted.
"I think today people came to see the fireworks because we need to see 'em," he said. "We need to remember what it's all about."
I for one was disappointed, the display and pretty lights were nice. However, the "feel" was off, the national anthem was not played,that I heard, the music was more of a regular party at anytime of the year. In other words I got the feeling that like our president, Columbus had a party that happened to be on the 4th of July, with hat in hand saying "Sorry we are Americans". I do agree with Danny Cameron, we NEED to remember who we are and those that have died to let us be free, and those that are in harms way now to keep us free. America has been through hard times before and still held our head high, until now America has never "Bowed" to anyone.
Realizing that it takes a tremendous effort to put together an event of that size, I usually try to be generous with praise and stingy with complaints. 2008's celebration seemed to be better planned. I agree with "jalex", the feeling WAS a little off. From my blanket between the bandstand and the lock I could not hear the music (even though I was less than 100 yards away) so I don't know if the music was patriotic or not, but just the general atmosphere didn't seem to reflect a celebration of our nation's birth. There was WAY too much time between sundown and fireworks. It was too dark to allow children to roam and too long to try to keep them happy on a blanket. No matter where we moved, there were fire ants. Last year there were 3 lanes of traffic out to Hwy 45 and it went really smooth. This year only 2 lanes and it took forever to get out.
That being said, it was free entertainment. I really shouldn't complain.
I'm gonna agree with the other posters - I don't like Obama, the fireworks were pretty good (it's been better in the past) and the music was barely noticeable. I was not far from the music at all and could barely hear it. It was patriotic music but the volume was such that it was really pointless to try to hear what was playing.
As for the "feel" I think that has more to do with our own attitudes than the mood set by the event. As I already mentioned, I'm not an Obama fan. I think he is leading this country down a dangerous (Socialist) path. However, while I was on the hill watching the fireworks I wasn't thinking about him. I was thinking about what it must have been like for our fighting men and women of the past and those that are fighting now to hear explosions of much greater magnitude and see flashes of light that are not for entertainment but a sign of destruction. I am truly greatful for this country and those that have fought for it and those that are fighting for it today. For those who are mad about the leaders of this country be sure that you cast your votes every chance you get. Call your representatives in Congress. Run for office yourself. Anyone can complain - it takes action to affect "change"...God Bless America
Indy Pen Dance please don't get tacky here and please do not put words into my mouth. I mean what I say and I say what I mean. I pray for this country AND the people who are leading it daily. May God Bless America and the persons who are lucky enough to live in it.
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