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  • Dylan Rogers, 8, and Bella Rogers, 9, play games in Doornbos Park before Light Up the Sky on the 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza in Nederland on Wednesday. Morgan Jones/ The News

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July 5, 2012

Thousands turn out for Nederland fireworks show

Mary Meaux The Port Arthur News

NEDERLAND —  More than 1,500 people poured Doornbos Park and surrounding streets to view the city’s first Light Up the Sky on the 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza on Wednesday.

The smell of barbecue and the sound of children’s laughter filled the air as Cory Mitchell performed on stage prior to the big show. Families turned out hours ahead of the scheduled fireworks show, bringing with them lawn chairs, blankets, canopies and ice chests.

Norma Distefano and granddaughters Daisy Acosta and Jazmin Acosta donned red shirts with patriotic red, white and blue leis and sat on a blanket near one edge of the duck pond while snacking on fresh strawberries, orange slices and watermelon.

“I’m so proud of the city for putting this on,” Distefano said of the event.

Nearby Distefano’s mother, Virginia Whigham, and daughter, Mary Beth Distefano chatted while waiting for yet more family members to arrive as Mitchell crooned a song about Texas 347 and another about a friend who lost his life while serving in the military in 2010.

Jenna and Bobby Domingue, seated in pink and hunter green lawn chairs respectively, talked and snapped photos of their children, Anndi, 4, and Drew, 1.

“It’s great to see so many people come out. We usually go to the sea wall but the last few years the mosquitoes have been so bad,” Jenna Domingue said of an annual event held in a neighboring town.

The park grounds held a festival like atmosphere with some families towing along their barbecue pits, dogs of all sizes and some wearing red or blue bandanas. Parents pulled children in wagons and strollers and nearby the pool was filled with children. Vendors were on site selling everything from pizza and tacos to drinks, ice cream, snow cones and novelty items. A Moon bounce with slide was also brought in to keep the kiddo’s occupied.

Jinni Akins, president/CEO of the Nederland Chamber of Commerce, and Angela Fanette, parks and recreation director, were amazed and excited about the turnout, they said.

As the daylight hours drifted to dusk more and more people entered the park. Groups with lawn chairs were parked as far as Mid-Jefferson Extended Care Hospital near FM 365 and 27th Street and down the block a ways at Fellowship Baptist Church parking lot, to Hillcrest Elementary School then around the corner to near the 1900 block of Avenue H and on side streets as well.

The event was sponsored by the city of Nederland and the Nederland Chamber of Commerce.

mmeaux@panews.com

 

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