Rain stops in time for campus music, fireworks

NEWARK –

Rain might have reduced the size of the crowd, or delayed its arrival, but the ones who did attend Newark's annual Fourth of July fireworks came prepared and were unfazed by the threat of more rain.

Many said they have been coming to the campus of Ohio State University and Central Ohio Technical College for years, bringing plenty of supplies and always sitting in the same place.

By the time the fireworks began about 10 p.m., the crowd seemed almost as large as previous years.

Jodi Huffman, of Newark, said his family arrived about 6:30 p.m., listening to music performed by Sticks and Stones and the Newark-Granville Symphony Orchestra at the Martha Grace Reese Amphitheatre.

"We come every year and sit in the same area every year," Huffman said. "It looks to me like it expands every year. It's an event. It's a happening."

Kristen Swallow, of Columbus, said she joins Skip Salome's family every year for the event.

"We were a little disappointed (with rain), but since it's all about family and fun and we have tents, who cares," Swallow said. "We're going to have a good time. It's all about family and friends and honoring the nation."

Brian Boehmer, superintendent of campus facilities planning and operation, said earlier in the evening that the crowd might have been a little smaller.

"I'm pretty pleased with the number of people who came and braved the rain," Boehmer said. "There's really not a bad seat. It's always a lot of fun."

Brent Richardson, of Newark, was sitting under one of three tents his family set up.

"It's a whole family thing, a good excuse to get together with family," Richardson said. "We live five minutes away, and it'll take us 45 minutes to get home."

Richardson said he was confident the rain would stop and the fireworks would begin on schedule.

"We have a Jym Ganahl Jr., the weatherman in the family, and he said it'd be all right," Richardson said.

Those attending the fireworks came from all over Licking County, but there also were people from Columbus, Westerville and New Albany.

Jim Pryor, of Westerville, said he's been to Red, White and Boom in Columbus, but the traffic jam is not as bad in Newark.

"This is nice," Pryor said. "We can get in and out, nice music, and it's a beautiful place."

Roger Handwerk, a Utica High School graduate who moved back to Newark last year from Houston, said he's amazed with the campus.

"I'm surprised at the campus here and how much it's grown," Handwerk said. "This is very nice."

kmallett@newarkadvocate.com

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Twitter: @kmallett1958