Independence Celebration
"Cut Short" When Mother Nature
Enters the Scene

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

For the second time in two week, impending thunderstorms have "rained on the parade" of Hopkins County events, but most folks aren't griping. First the 49th Annual Hopkins County Dairy Festival Parade was "cut short," and then the Independence Celebration saw the symphony orchestra packing up and headed for cover, as the fireworks show began about an hour early. Thunderstorms began moving into the area and lightning began to flash in the northern skies, forcing the schedule to be moved forward.

The Leadership Sulphur Springs Organization sold hot dogs, drinks, popcorn, and other concessions to
sponsor their scholarship program.

 

"I'm just thankful that we got the fireworks off and everyone off the square before the intense rain began," exclaimed Tom Sellers, President of Alliance Bank, and one of the sponsors of the show. "The last thing we would want would be someone injured at the event!"

 

These two firefighter academy students from British Columbia, Canada, and Colorado were among the
crowd that enjoyed Saturday night's symphony concert and fireworks show.

 

Fireworks began and the crowd managed to make it to the cover of their automobiles before the thunderstorms moved through the area. "I hate that the music had to be 'cut short' but we were told to notify the symphony when the storms were approximately 10 minutes out," exclaimed one of the sponsors. "That's what we did and the show was able to finish and get everyone under cover!"

 

Dark clouds began moving into downtown Sulphur Springs at approximately 8:00, causing sponsors
of the Independence Celebration to watch the skies and move the schedule forward.

 

And the clouds became more intense......

 

"It was a beautiful show, even with Mother Nature adding a few fireworks of her own," exclaimed one local resident. "The fireworks and the lightning were beautiful and anytime that we can get a good rain this time of the year, we must count it a blessing, as the farmers need the rain!"

Enjoy the following scenes from Saturday night's Independence Celebration:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, this local couple stayed until the very end......

 

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