Red, white and blue dominated the sky Thursday at Turkey Creek Water Park as the second annual Firework Show got underway shortly after 9 p.m.
Pam Engle, Park Manager for Turkey Creek, said the event saw record attendance and “things went wonderful.” Not counting those already camping at the park, the first responders or park staff, she said organizers counted over 600 cars entering the park for the show.
“That’s about 100 more than last year,” she said.
So many people showed up, Engle said, the Decatur Volunteer Fire Department, which was selling hamburgers, hotdogs and other goodies, ran out of food within a few hours.
“The fire department doubled their food from last year, and they sold out by 7:30 p.m.,” she said. “We’re very, very pleased with the turnout.”
This year’s Firework Show expanded on last year’s success to include bounce houses and video games from the National Guard and face painting. Engle credited those activities for drawing people in earlier in the day, which helped control traffic as well as boost participation.
The firework display was put on by Artisan Pyrotechnics, a New Orleans based company. Billy Bailey, who put on the show, said this was his first year doing the Turkey Creek show, and he was shooting for 20 minutes.
“I have 18 minutes for sure,” he said, pointing to the rows of fireworks set up on the Turkey Creek levy. “But I’m going to push for 20.”
Turkey Creek is a beautiful place for a firework show, Bailey added, and he was enjoying the time waiting for darkness watching the boats and taking pictures of the lake.
Although Thursday’s fireworks were a success, Engle said there is always something to improve upon.
“We need to start getting people in earlier,” she said. “The fireworks started at five after 9 p.m., and we still had people coming in.”
Already planning for next year, she said residents could expect to see the addition of live music in 2020. Of course, the National Guard will also be returning, bringing the bounce houses and games, face painting will be coming back, and the Decatur Volunteer Fire Department is already planning to quadruple their food preparation.
“Hopefully they’ll have some left,” she said.
For those that missed the show, Engle said next year’s event promises to be even bigger, and for those that want something to commemorate the event, there are still a few 2019 Fireworks T-shirts available for sale at the Turkey Creek office.
A video of the firework show can be viewed at https://www.newtoncountyappeal.com/front-page-slideshow-news-decatur/turkey-creek-holds-fireworks-show
