Published: July 05, 2008 01:21 am            

Fireworks, food and fun on the Fourth

jjacob@themeridianstar.com



Though the afternoon started with some thunderstorms, the evening of Independence Day went off without a hitch in Meridian on Friday.

At the Bonita Lakes Independence Celebration, by far the biggest Fourth of July event in Meridian, the grass was barely even wet by the time people started pouring in by late afternoon.

The Bonita Lakes location had limited parking, but that didn't stop fireworks enthusiasts from turning up, coming early to get parking, or else parking at Bonita Lakes Mall and getting to the lake via shuttle or on foot.

A large crowd began to gather around the orchestra stage long before the show began, with kids playing football and running around while their parents set up lawn chairs and cabanas, conversing with one another and enjoying the patriotic atmosphere.

The evening's program featured patriotic music from the Meridian Symphony Orchestra, a fly-over by Naval Air Station Meridian T-45 trainer jets, and, of course, a large and beautiful display of fireworks over the upper lake which drew copious "oohs" and "aahs" from the crowd.

There were also numerous vendors at the event - most were food vendors, but the largest crowd was gathered around a tent in which a man made animal-shaped balloons for scores of delighted kids.

Despite the wet weather, most of the crowd at Bonita Lakes Friday night had a blast.

"We're having a great time," said Harvey Smith, of Meridian. "We've got great scenery, and we're in a pretty place. The temperature is reasonable. This place is beautiful."

"The music is nice, having it in the background," said Teri Lynn Grover, a Jackson resident who came to Meridian to visit her grandchildren over the holiday weekend. "The parking is all organized. The weather's cooperating."

"The only thing I would change," she added, "is that they could have a few more jumpy balls or something for the kids, but other than that it's great."

And it wasn't just patrons of the event that had a good time, participants in the show enjoyed themselves as well.

"It's great," said Jason Brownlee, a percussionist for the Meridian Symphony Orchestra who has played at the fireworks show numerous times. "The kids love to run and eat and play...It's like a miniature Boston Pops. The community always supports it very well."

"It's just a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere," added Brownlee's wife, Roseanne, "just to have food and fun and fellowship."

Food, fun, fellowship, and most of all fireworks were all in plentiful supply on Independence Day at Bonita Lakes and at private celebrations all around Lauderdale County.







What Do You Think?

"What is your favorite thing about Independence Day?"



Emily Jeter of Scott County

"The music and the fireworks. And being off work."



Michael Brown of Union

"We're celebrating our independence. I enjoy coming out to the concert."



Roseann Thompson of Collinsville

"The fireworks and our freedom."

        

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