Photo by Sue Watson
Tyler Clancy (Clancy’s Cafe) brought his food truck and his favorite recipes to serve to a hungry crowd.
Photo by Sue Watson
Rita Phillips operates the bubble gun while Leo Thomas runs through the mists.
Photo by Ronnie Day
Fireworks usher in the holiday weekend Thursday night in downtown Holly Springs.
More than 3,000 enjoy fireworks
The fourth annual fireworks celebration, also a kickoff for Bikers and Blues, drew an attendance of more than 3,000, said mayor Kelvin Buck.
He said he was pleased with the big June 29 event downtown, with fireworks sponsored by the City of Holly Springs and Contract Fabricators.
“The great thing about the event is that families can be very comfortable,” he said. “It was about families celebrating together.
“I felt very good about the fireworks show, the band, the stage (provided by Kevin Thomas) – the whole thing. It seemed like a step above what we have had before – well done.
“I felt the people were excited and I heard people talking about their yard parties and that they planned their parties around the kickoff to the Fourth of July (in downtown Thursday night).”
The very young in strollers, the very old, and all ages in between gathered, many sitting in front of the band in their lawn chairs. Food vendors provided great choices. Rita Phillips was back with her electronic bubble-blowing guns and lots of fun souvenirs.
Ninety-nine-year-old Catherine Payne came to the show.
Little D. (Danny Lewis) and JFaulk (Rep. John Faulkner) helped manage the sound system, along with Harold Moncreif. And they played lots of dance music between sets. Cassie Bonner (keyboards and soloist) of Oxford provided the live music which included old school, blues and R&B. Leron Mays played lead guitar, Tauras Turner played drums and Glen Dixon played bass.
Attendance has steadily increased over the four years the fireworks were incorporated to the kickoff night of the Bikers and Blues, a Holly Springs Main Street Chamber event that takes place every Thursday night throughout summer until the first Thursday night in September.
Attendance estimates in 2014 were 2,500; in 2015 were 2,000; in 2016 were 3,000.
Main Street Chamber director Christy Owens said attendance looked larger to her Thursday night for the fireworks show.
“It is a wonderful family event,” she said. “I think it gets that feeling in the air and we just start the Fourth of July celebration, but we have done something with the community. It was perfect weather.”
It takes a lot of volunteers and help to put on a Bikers and Blues night. She said the Holly Springs Fire Department and Police Department always help set up and keep the streets safe. The Chamber board of directors and community volunteers also help make the night a big success.
This Thursday downtown, Sam Mosley will perform. Entertainment starts about 7 p.m.