SHAMOKIN - They were definitely worth the wait.
Despite being approximately 20 minutes later than scheduled, the 2012 fireworks display sponsored by Citizens for a Better Community (CBC) and Citizens Fireworks Inc. once again delighted thousands with its array of colors, shapes, heights and booming sounds while lighting up the night sky for miles on a muggy Saturday evening.
While temperatures that hovered near 100 earlier in the day became more comfortable, the pyrotechnics show sizzled throughout its 20-minute duration.
Employees from Fire Art LLC of Clearfield began detonating shells of different sizes from the Glen Burn Culm Bank at 10 p.m. to a very appreciative audience, who could be heard clapping and whistling from various vantage points in the community after the traditional grand finale.
The show reportedly was delayed because of some of the fuses on the fireworks got damp from a light rain that fell in the area shortly after 5 p.m. But the vast majority of spectators who look forward to the annual show didn't seem to mind despite the humid weather.
When reached at about 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Angie Arnold, secretary of CBC, stated, "We were very pleased with the show and the curbside collections were fantastic. The hot weather certainly didn't hurt us. I want to thank everyone for their donations and all the volunteers involved in the display, especially the people who collected today in near 100-degree temperatures. The Boy Scouts (Troop 250) did a fabulous job despite the heat. We definitely plan on co-sponsoring the show next year with Citizens Fireworks Inc."
Arnold's husband, John, who serves as vice president of CBC, said, "It was an awesome show. Everyone did a great job and we are looking forward to next year's display."
Tom Sanders of Shamokin, who has witnessed many fireworks shows in Shamokin over the years, was one of many spectators to watch the display from the municipal parking lot on East Independence Street.
"They were spectacular," Sanders said. "The booms mixed with the many colors were great."
Jean Dowling, a native of Marion Heights who now lives in Mount Carmel, described the show as "fantastic and awesome."
"I liked the show a lot and I thought it was as good as last year's display," commented 10-year-old Azusena Hernandez of Shamokin.
Jim Neidlinger of Coal Township added, "I come every year and I thought this year's show was better than last year. It was just fantastic."
Asia Garcia of Shamokin said, "It got off to a slow start, but the finale was brilliant. The more quickly the fireworks were set off made your heart beat faster. It was a really nice show."
Approximately $9,000 raised last year through various collections paid for Saturday night's display.