SHENANDOAH JUNCTION— Due to severe thunderstorms in the area, Jefferson County Parks and Recreation made the decision Saturday evening to postpone the Independence Day fireworks show and offer them on Sunday evening instead. While a threat of storms had park staffers and the pyrotechnic team watching the skies, the event went off without a hitch Sunday as crowds gathered at Sam Michaels Park for what the parks’ staff dubbed ‘Take 2.’
During the 2024 show, lightning struck within the park, causing the event to be rescheduled to the rain date then as well. Following in those footsteps, for the sake of safety, officials nixed Saturday’s show when storms continued to pop up.
“We feel like we should say ‘thank you for riding the fireworks roller coaster and keeping your arms and legs inside the vehicle,’” said a Facebook post on the Parks’ site Monday morning as words of appreciation for patience and understanding went out via the airwaves.
“The weather definitely gave us a challenge this year,” the post said, adding that Saturday evening’s storms led to an evacuation of the park before the final call to cancel.
Throughout the evening Sunday, after the gates opened at 6 p.m., the staff watched the weather and worked with pyrotechnic Vince DiGiorgio with Digital Lightning to determine the best time for the show to begin.
There were fears that the show may go off extremely early, perhaps before many arrived at the park and during more daylight hours; however, Mother Nature cooperated and the show began at just a bit after 9 p.m. sending round after round of colorful explosions into the air.
The annual event has been held at Sam Michaels Park for the past 19 years and was sponsored by the Jefferson County Commission and the municipalities of Ranson, Charles Town, Harpers Ferry, Shepherdstown and Bolivar. Additional funds were donated by local businesses and through fundraising efforts by the Parks and Recreation Commission as well, so that the event can remain free of charge to the public.
Jefferson Parks and Rec staff specifically commended the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Reserves and Jefferson County Office of Emergency Management for all of their work monitoring on both evenings and for getting folks in and out of the park safely and in a timely manner. They also publicly recognized the local fire departments including Bakerton, Middleway, Friendship and Shepherdstown for helping to maintain fireworks zones and assist throughout both evenings.
Despite the uncertainty of weather and dealing with factors beyond their control, the Park staff was thrilled to once again present the public with the free celebration.
“We are doing fireworks in December next year,” laughed Director Jennifer Myers as she spoke of the weekend whirlwind. In actuality, Myers is already looking ahead to the 20th anniversary of the Independence Day celebration in the park and has begun plans for additional fundraising activities to ensure the show is a memorable one.
“The show couldn’t be done without donations and input from so many,” Myers said. “We are grateful to all who contribute and who will contribute in the future.”
