MERIDIAN —
Cloudy skies and a constant breeze kept away the suffocating heat the area has experienced lately and those who came to Bonita Lakes Recreation Park Wednesday for the Fourth of July festivities were awfully glad for the pleasant weather.
"This weather has certainly turned out great," said Casey Null, who is the cultural affairs coordinator for the City of Meridian. "This is perfect."
And so was the entertainment, food and the finale, the fireworks.
Peggy Simpson of York, Alabama was on hand with her six-year-old son Eric and said this was the first time her son would see a big fireworks display.
"He's seen the small ones around the house but I decided to bring him to this one," Simpson said. "I think he'll like it."
During the afternoon, canopies, trimmed in red, white and blue, could be seen doting the landscape around the boat ramp area. Cooking grills were still smoking well into the evening after having cooked uncounted hot dogs and hamburgers. Other patrons lined the boat ramp and the food vendor areas enjoying the atmosphere.
U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviators executed the NAS Fly-Over at 6:45 p.m. in the T-45 Goshawks used to train tomorrow's fighters from the sea.
The concert featuring The Love Notez from Jackson filled the cooling air with R&B music from the Supremes to Donna Summer from 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
The crowds weren't only at the park either.
Across from the park on Bonita Lakes Drive and overflowing into Meridian Crossroads were hundreds of people sitting in the back of their trucks and on top of cars watching as the bright lights of the fireworks lit up the sky.
It was another tribute to our country and the men and women who have kept her free.
Local News
Related Photos
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Wyatt Hatcher, left, and his brother, Jaxon, wave flags from the top of a hill with their mother, Courtney, and aunt, Kim Jackson. Paula Merritt
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Grant Alexander, of Troop 16, holds up the American flag as replica planes fly over Bonita Lakes during Fourth of July festivities at the park Wednesday. Paula Merritt
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Amber and Noah Gray share bananas as they picnic in the park with others during the Fourth of July festivities at Bonita Lakes Wednesday. Paula Merritt
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Fireworks were the main attraction Wednesday night at the Fourth of July celebration at Bonita Lakes Recreation Park in Meridian. Brian Livingston
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Hartlee Singleton, 7, of Enterprise, and Silas Coker, 8, from Japan, whose dad is in the military, watch the fireworks go off at the park. Brian Livingston
Discussion
Meridian enjoys the big bang
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