Published: July 04, 2008 11:53 pm            

HOLIDAY: Fourth has a grand finale in Twin Cities

Twin Cities Independence Day revelers couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day to celebrate the holiday.

Thousands packed Niawanda Park in the City of Tonawanda, where the Sugar ‘N Jazz Orchestra entertained for nearly two hours before a dazzling display of fireworks took over the night sky. Over at Tonawanda’s Gateway Harbor Park, Rip & the Band Dogs performed during the evening.

Jamie Annunciata of the City of Tonawanda was anxiously awaiting the start of the fireworks show. He was camped out on Niagara Street with his family.

“I like all the colors and the loud sounds,” said Jamie, 10. “They look like constellations.”

Comfortably sitting in Adirondack chairs under the shade of a tree at the edge of Niawanda Park, near the Tonawanda Police Station, Grand Island residents Emory and Valerie Gott were enjoying the “Big Band” sounds of Sugar ‘N Jazz.

“I think we come just about every year, and we’ve been coming for decades,” said Valerie Gott, who grew up in Tonawanda. “We’re glad that they have something like this versus the rock and roll. That’s sort of nice that they have something for everyone.” This Fourth of July wasn’t just a holiday for the Gotts. It was also their 32nd wedding anniversary.

Located on Niagara Street just across from the police station, Barbara Hertel and her friends and family had a perfect spot for watching both the people and the fireworks. It also was a great spot to hold a fundraiser for the Whiskey Creek Outdoor Club. The group was selling yo-yos and marshmallow guns, among other items.

“We’ve done it for about the last three years,” Hertel said, adding that you can’t beat the location. “We don’t have to go anywhere, which is nice.”

An enthusiastic Anthony Gallivan, 7, was having a good time in the park with his parents Chris and Nicci Gallivan, of Tonawanda. Anthony’s dad took him down along the river to teach him about the mighty Niagara.

“He explained that I could take the river all the way to Niagara Falls and I’ll fall right down,” Anthony said.

The Gallivans have come to Niawanda Park for the Fourth for several years now.

“In my opinion, this is the best place to go for fireworks,” Chris Gallivan said.

Friday night’s cool temperature, still winds and cloudless sky made for ideal fireworks watching.

“We couldn’t ask for more perfect conditions,” said Tonawanda Recreation Director Linda Foels, adding that upwards of 15,000 people flock to Niawanda Park to check out the fireworks.

This year, the pyrotechnics display was shot from Tonawanda Island. In years past, the fireworks have been launched from a barge in the Niagara River.

While everything was perfect for enjoying the Fourth of July, conditions also were ripe for trouble. By 9:30 p.m., city police had already responded to numerous first aid calls and had made several alcohol-fueled arrests, Lt. Fredric Foels said.

“When it falls on a weekend, it just tends to get everybody a lot more revved up,” he said. With auxiliary officers, there were approximately 20 Tonawanda police on duty, including Chief Cindy Young, for Friday night’s festivities. “We’re covered all the way down to the city line in the park,” Foels said.

Contact reporter David J. Hill at 693-1000, ext. 115.

        

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