By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
It may have only been the 3rd of July and not the 4th. And it may have been hotter than a … uh … firecracker.
But, no matter, several thousand folks came out to party on Riverside Center’s parking lot Thursday, and all across Decatur front yards, back yards, parking lots and many other open spaces were filled with people wanting to get a good look at the Chamber of Commerce’s annual fireworks show.
Proud Mary CCR, a tribute band, got the party started with a rousing, three-hour blast of music, setting the tone for a joyous night.
All manner of food and drink was available under 10 or so tents and sales were as hot as the temperature.
And, of course, the night was about honoring and thanking veterans, past and present.
HOT TIME: The temp read 89 degrees and sunshine was everywhere when Proud Mary kicked off the festivities at 6 p.m.
The band – whose first appearance in Decatur was sponsored by a single citizen, John Summers – gave a large parking full of willing folks all the popular Creedence Clearwater Revival hits.
But the five guys also cranked up the top efforts of the Guess Who, The Doors, Uriah Heep, Buffalo Springfield, Little Richard and more, including John Fogarty solo stuff.
When they were done, Bellmont student Jayleena Hill got the crowd on its feet with the singing of the National Anthem.
The color guard of Adams Post 43 of the American Legion brought forth the colors and the annual Post Everlasting ceremony was held. The names of local veterans who have passed on during the past 12 months were read, including that of Ned Ray, who had been buried just a few hours earlier.
Post Everlasting means “they have now gone to heaven.”
A benediction closed the ceremony.
Then it was on to another hot portion of the night, a 21-minute fireworks display presented by 50 Cal Fireworks of Decatur.
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