WHITE LAKE — The occasional distant boom of thunder on Independence Day didn’t do anything to abate the turnout for, or drown out the sound of, the White Lake fireworks show on Monday night at Goldston’s Beach, which saw an almost record crowd this year.
“I thought it went very well,” said Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dawn Maynard, whose organization sponsored the event. “What’s unique about enjoying the fireworks at White Lake for the Fourth of July is, with the lake being circular, guests have a front row seat to everything; there’s not a bad seat anywhere.”
Folks crowded in, though, for the best seat — so much so that Maynard reported a standing room only crowd at Goldston’s Beach.
“I can’t even speculate on the number of people, but with just a visual glance at the crowd and all of the ‘no vacancy’ signs around the lake, I’m telling you, it just keeps growing,” she said. “Everything was packed.”
With the temperature high for the day in the mid-90s approaching the record mark, attendees welcomed the setting sun’s accompanying coolness and a good breeze to take in the display.
“The weather really cooperated,” said Maynard. “Whenever we have good weather, we have a good turnout.”
East Coast Pyrotechnics, out of South Carolina, was contracted by the Chamber for the 20-minute show at a cost of $8,000.
“I’ve been working with them for a long time, and they give us more for bang for our buck than others would, because we’re a nonprofit,” said Maynard. “They’re good about working with us and making sure we get the most for our dollar, because, at $8,000, we’re on the low end of the spending range.”
The town of White Lake, Goldston’s Beach, and Camp Clearwater were also major sponsors of the show.
After the display, as is the custom, numerous residents and visitors finished off the evening with their own fireworks.
“That’s kind of a given that people will do that,” said Maynard. “It makes our $8,000 show more enjoyable, because it makes the celebration last longer.”
As for changes for next year, Maynard had this to say: “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it. It makes everybody happy, so until we start getting complaints, hopefully the crowd will keep getting bigger and bigger.”
She added, “I do want to say, though, that if more businesses contribute, we could make it even better and longer next time.”
Chrysta Carroll can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.