LIMA — Persistent wet weather forced the postponement of last year’s Star Spangled Spectacular, with the fireworks display moved to Labor Day. While this year’s celebrations were met with some early rains, with overcast skies continuing throughout the day plus a small sprinkle during the fireworks, the rain held off enough for families to enjoy the 23rd rendition of Lima’s premier Independence Day event Monday at Faurot Park.
“All things considered, the day has gone very well,” event Chairman Jeff Ramey said. “We started out battling Mother Nature a little bit, but we got through it. I think the runners appreciated the cooler temperatures, and I don’t think they minded the rain.”
Along with the Freedom 5K Run/Walk, there were a lot of entertainment options available for families throughout the day, with a veterans car show, rides for children and children’s entertainment by Mike Hemmelgarn.
“The rides are running, the food vendors are selling food, and it’s been great seeing people coming out here and enjoying the day,” Ramey said.
The food vendors featured a variety of options, from roasted almonds to Jamaican cuisine to homemade ice cream. One new addition this year was the Charitable Italian American Organization of Lima selling freshly filled cannoli.
“We usually have them at our yearly Italian dinner, but we didn’t have the dinner this year,” Penny Pescosolido said. “So we thought we’d come out here. We think this could be a yearly tradition.”
“I have to say that the vendors on either side of us have been great,” CIAO President Terri Spencer said. “They have helped us so much, since we’re new. They’ve been wonderful to us.”
As the celebration continued into the evening hours, families at Faurot Park were treated to musical entertainment, with the Lima Area Concert Band kicking things off, followed by Detroit-based R&B group Phase 5, with the U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors rounding out the entertainment.
“This is our second time here,” Linda Westfall said. She, along with Harold Plaugher, of Westminster, were among the hundreds sitting on lawn chairs and blankets in the park enjoying the music. “We enjoy a little bit of everything. This is a special time to honor our veterans.”
Ramey was also hopeful that as families enjoyed the day, they remembered what this holiday is celebrating.
“This is a celebration of our nation’s birth 240 years ago this year,” he said. “I think it’s really important to honor those who served.”
Bringing the event to its “star-spangled” climax was the traditional fireworks show, a 30-minute spectacle that Ramey was confident would not disappoint.
”Once we start firing, there are very few quiet moments up in the sky,” he said. “People have mistaken our show for the finale from other fireworks shows. But when the finale of our show comes, you definitely know it.”
Watching with her two grandchildren on the roof of the St. Rita’s Medical Center parking garage, Patty Binkley was very impressed.
“This is the first time I’ve brought my grandkids up here,” she said. “I think this one was better than the other ones they’ve had in previous years. I think they really went all out this year.
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