Despite weather threats, Fourth events are a sparkling success
Staff writer
Attendance at the county’s premier July 4 fireworks display in Peabody was dampened by a threat of storms, but the town still managed to fight the traditional Battle of New Orleans with more than 20,000 firecrackers and launch 340 aerial bursts in the evening, according to Fireworks Committee chairman Jay Gfeller.
Final attendance figures are not yet calculated, but Gfeller estimated 3,000 people went to Peabody City Park to see the display. Storms that rolled through parts of Marion County stayed to the east of Peabody in the evening.
“I think the storms scared some people away,” Lois Bleyle of Peabody, said as her 4-year-old daughter, Magnolia, showed off her new look at a face-painting booth. “They missed out, and we got to enjoy it.”
Those who went to the City Park, many unfolding elaborate lawn chairs and dressed in red, white and blue, were loyalists.
“This is a family tradition. We come every year,” said Britney Thouvenell, who was there with her husband Jessy, daughter Ellie, 15, and baby Cullen, 2.
This was the 105th year of the display at Peabody. Gfeller said he thought there was more competition from events in other towns this year.
“Because of the 250th celebration of America, there were other people putting on shows,” he said.
The annual cost of about $30,000 is paid by sponsors, not taxpayers, he said. Gfeller is stepping down after eight years as chairman but predicts the event “probably will not look much different in the future.”
“It definitely gets the name out there for the town,” he said. “You can be on vacation five states away and tell a stranger you are from Peabody, and five out of ten times, they will mention the fireworks.”