SHAMOKIN - Spectacular, awesome, amazing.
Those were some of the adjectives used by spectators to describe the 25-minute fireworks display Sunday night sponsored by Citizens for a Better Community (CBC) and Citizens Fireworks Inc. (CFI).
The annual pyrotechnics show once again entertained a large and appreciative audience with its bright colors, designs and seemingly never-ending grand finale.
A minor mishap was reported at the Cameron Coal Bank launch site, with one of the shell loaders suffering minor burns, according to unofficial reports from the scene. The man was transported by a medic unit off the mountain and taken to Shamokin Area Community Hospital.
The fireworks began lighting up the night sky at 9:40 p.m. and could be heard miles away as large shells detonated hundreds of feet in the air, while smaller ones blasted off closer to the ignition spot.
Spectators marveled at the beautiful colors and shapes while volunteers from CFI wasted no time in setting off the charges
with lightning rapidity. At one point of the show, three-tiers of fireworks dotted the sky.
After the grand finale, applause could be heard coming from the municipal parking lot on Independence Street, which offers a great vantage point to view the display. Vehicles filled the Water Street parking lot, and crowds gathered at numerous vantage points in and around the downtown and surrounding Coal Township.
The fireworks impressed people of all ages, including many who have viewed numerous displays in the Shamokin area over the years.
John Matichak, 64, of Shamokin, stated, "I thought the grand finale was awesome."
"That was one of the nicest displays I've ever seen," commented 64-year-old lifelong Shamokin resident Mick Wolfe.
Tom Nowroski, 58, of Atlas, who has been watching the show from Rock Street near the municipal lot for many years, said, "I thought the fireworks were better this year than other years. They were awesome and it was a great night to watch them."
Boyd Lahr, 30, of Dalmatia, described the display as the "best ever." He said, "I liked them all."
Garrett Sassani, 10, of Winfield, said, "My favorite was the grand finale. It was amazing."
Sassani's 9-year-old sister, Savannah Sassani, said, "They were all so pretty, especially the grand finale."
Volunteers from CBC conducted roadside collections for the fireworks Sunday on Route 61 at Pool World and Len's Automotive, and Second and Independence streets in Shamokin. The donations will be used to help pay for next's year show. This year's display was paid in full. A total from this year's collection will be reported soon.