Despite rain threat, Fourth of July celebration wraps up with a bang

By Randy Bell    

Anyone looking at weather radar and seeing the rain in Louisiana about an hour before the big fireworks show at Clinton’s Red, White and Blue Fest might have been worried that the Fourth of July’s grand finale at Traceway Park might be delayed—or cancelled.  But the rain held off, and the rockets’ red glare and the bombs bursting in air went off on schedule at 9 p.m.

“We were keeping our eyes on the radar,” says Parks and Recreation Director Courtney Nunn.  “We could see some lightning in the distance, but it wasn’t close enough to be on high alert.  We were able to get the band off the stage right at 8:45 and get the fireworks [started] and get out of there before any storm hit.”

Nunn says some earlier rainfall during the afternoon had also been a concern. 

“We were close to having to either push some things back or cancel altogether.  [But] we were able to open our gates at 4 and keep things rolling as they normally would.”

She’s pleased with the way this year’s celebration went. 

“I think we had a great time.  We had a great turnout, considering that we had some rain come through before the event started.” 

She says the Fun Zone and Food Court were busy, and the entertainment lived up to expectations.   

“I felt like the bands that we brought in did an amazing job of getting the crowd involved.”   

Until she gets a look at some drone video, Nunn says she won’t be able to give an accurate estimate of the crowd size, but, as she puts it, “it was another great year.”