Rehoboth fireworks still a hit
A larger than expected crowd made its way to Rehoboth Beach as an estimated 100,000 people arrived in time for the annual July 4 fireworks spectacular.
The fireworks always draw their fair share of families and people who are simply there for the July 4 spirit.
Beaver Winter and Brad Leibe certainly had the spirit. Regular visitors to Rehoboth from York, Pa., they came in red, white and blue top hats, shades and fake Uncle Sam beards.
“We’re just caught up in the spirit,” Leibe said
“Just trying to have fun,” Winter said.
Edie Reynolds may have outdone Winter and Leibe with her Statute of Liberty outfit. It took Reynolds 45 minutes to apply the green paint to truly make her appear as Lady Liberty. Reynolds said she does the costume every year, although this year featured a new crown and torch. The outfit makes Reynolds particularly popular with people wanting to get their picture taken with her.
“Especially the foreign students,” she said. “They’re like ‘Miss Liberty, Miss Liberty, can I get your picture?’ It’s pretty special.”
While there were plenty of colorful red,white and blue-inspired getups down on the Boardwalk and beach, the fireworks were also a chance for families to bring their children out to see the fireworks.
Among the first-timers viewing the fireworks this year was Kinsley Jenkins, 16 months old, of Culpepper, Va.
Jeff Jenkins, Kinsley’s father, said, “We’re here two or three times a year. She hasn’t really been here to see it.”
This was also the first July 4 fireworks show – and first time in Rehoboth – for the Shurtz family – mother Emily, father Matt and 6-month old Owen – who came all the way from Dover, Ohio, a town south of Canton-Akron.
“We wanted a little mini-vacay for the Fourth of July and we thought Rehoboth Beach would be a good place to go. Very family-friendly,” Emily Shurtz said.
Matt Schurtz said the trip took about eight hours, but it will not be the family’s last visit.
“We love it. We’ll come back,” Emily Shurtz said.
Organized by Rehoboth Beach Main Street and put on by Zambelli Fireworks Internationale, the fireworks started about 9:30 p.m. and lasted 30 minutes.
Kathy McGuiness, chairwoman of Main Street’s Fireworks Committee, said the fireworks show – which truly is a package deal with buses, lights and bands, among other things – cost $47,000 to $50,000. The show is paid for primarily through donations and fundraising.
Main Street Executive Director Annmarie Westerfield said the Kiwanis, which ran the grass lot in front of the Park and Ride, parked over 900 cars for the festivities.
Westerfield said Main Street was expecting fewer attendees because July 4 fell on a Wednesday. Of the huge turnout, McGuiness said, “I’m pleasantly surprised. It’s great.”
Despite the large crowd, Cpl. Gary Fournier, spokesman for Delaware State Police, said there were a few minor crashes on Route 1 northbound, but nothing of significance. He said traffic was flowing smoothly after midnight.
Westerfield said an accident on Route 1, combined with traffic from Bethany Beach’s fireworks caused some delays.
Still, she said, “DelDOT, DART, the state police and the city of Rehoboth police did an incredible job in trying to move the crowds in and out of the city. It is not an easy job to entertain such a large group of spectators with limited entry into the city.”
McGuiness said the buses were full all night and were still running people to their cars past midnight. She said plenty of people stayed when the fireworks were over to watch the Funsters perform at the Bandstand and frequent downtown businesses.
“It’s a very proud event. You’re proud because you are doing this event. You’re proud because people are coming to town that maybe they wouldn’t be coming here and going to another fireworks in another city. We are happy we can bring people to Rehoboth,” McGuiness said.
