Fireworks at museum in Spencer once again a blast
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, July 4, 2023
A museum cat was unbothered by the growing crowds at the Transportation Museum for the fireworks Saturday, but once the show started, she disappeared under a nearby truck. Elisabeth Strillacci
Graham, 4, engages in his favorite activity, taking photos, at the Transportation Museum Saturday. He was with mom's friend, Hannah, when he snapped a picture of one of the fire trucks parked inside. Elisabeth Strillacci
Connor, 9, took his turn taking a swing with the baseball bat Saturday evening in Spencer at the Transportation Museum. Elisabeth Strillacci
Two young men try to outdo one another during the short rain storm at Saturday's fireworks event in Spencer. Elisabeth Strillacci
Balloon artists were making not just dogs but swans, butterflies, and flowers for children on request during the fireworks festival in Spencer Saturday. Elisabeth Strillacci
Offerings of everything that lights up or makes noise was available for purchase during Saturday's fireworks display in Spencer. Elisabeth Strillacci
Six-month-old Ayden Stangel was staying cool with his own personal fan attached to his stroller at the Fireworks over Downtown Spencer Shops at the Transportation Museum Saturday. Elisabeth Strillacci
As rain clouds began to close in, bubbles were blown and happily chased on the seating area by the round-about at the Transportation Museum's fireworks event Saturday. Elisabeth Strillacci
Rain kicked in just after 6:30 p.m. Saturday, bringing many of those gathered for the festival and fireworks at the Transportation Museum inside to have a bite and play games. But by 7 p.m. the skies were clearing and the event carried on. Elisabeth Strillacci
Seven-year-old Liam takes a swing at the ball while he and family wait for the fireworks show at the Transportation Museum Saturday night. Elisabeth Strillacci
SPENCER — While rain could have delayed the actual fireworks display planned for just after dark Saturday, those attending the event at the Transportation Museum still had a grand time playing games, eating a variety of foods and chasing bubbles.
This marks the fifth year of the event that began before COVID, took a few years off then came back last year to the delight of people throughout Rowan County and farther afield.
The event, called Fireworks Over Historic Spencer Shops, is free to attend, though a small number of activities do have a nominal fee attached. The museum’s website noted that on display were the Ride of Pride trucks from Daimler Trucks North America’s Cleveland plant. Activities during the event included a balloon twister artist, bubble show, DJ music, inflatables, corn hole and other lawn games.
“We don’t get to do many community events like this one,” said museum Executive Director Kelly Alexander. She said the museum and the town had partnered on the event, and that is an “essential relationship.” The town coordinated additional food trucks and parking in front of the town hall on Salisbury Street, she said, which helped with those with mobility issues or who wanted quick parking.
There were food vendors at both sites. At the museum were Roadway Dogs, Mottrzarellas, The Old 97 Kettle Corn and the Chill Shak, and in the town hall lot were Mums Catering and Events, Kona Ice and Indulge. Both sites provided space for people to set up lawn chairs or blankets, and a few did some tail gating in the town hall lot.
Alexander also gave a nod to the event’s sponsors, without whom she noted the event would not be possible. Sponsors included F&M Bank, Miller Davis, Town of Spencer, Holmes Iron & Metal, Inc., New Pointe Realty, Brent Parks CPA, Carter Law Group and Central Carolina Insurance Agency. The event partner was Daimler Trucks.
Children flounced in a firetruck bouncy house, dashed across the pavement after massive bubble releases, danced to music from the DJ and struggled to decide which balloon animal or figure they wanted. Rain kicked in just after 6:30 p.m. and for a short time, came down hard. But visitors just moved inside where the games were set up and there were exhibits to explore and tables where folks could sit down and eat. By 7 p.m. the skies were clearing and people were trickling back outside.
“As long as there is no lightning, the fireworks will go off as planned at 9:15,” said Alexander. The event was one of the early Fourth of July events in the area and the rain didn’t dampen people’s desire to come out and celebrate America’s birthday.
