Turnout Strong for Fireworks on Eve of Fourth

Every Independence Day weekend, Rhode Islanders gather to enjoy a good firework show by the beach, and this year was no exception.

Thousands gathered at Narragansett Town Beach on Sunday, showing up early to get a good view of the show. Sarah Kenyon showed up even earlier than others.

“We showed up at quarter past six,” she said. “There was supposed to be live music at the gazebo, but we didn’t see it.”

She went on to say that there weren’t any signs signifying a cancellation either, but they were staying for the fireworks. Thunderstorms and heavy clouds threatened the event, and some viewers complained of hazy skies blocking visibility.

Despite some disappointment, there was much excitement to go around, including many young children running around awaiting the firework display. A diverse crowd came to watch — from grandparents with grandchildren and young mothers pushing strollers, to runners and traveling and local musicians. And, of course, there were the venders.

Reverend and Dr. Robert E. Cornell Sr. was pushing a cart loaded with glow sticks, strobe light wands, butterfly lights, light up bubble guns and more. Cornell said that he’d been doing it for 11 years, but not because it rang up a huge profit.

“I think that not everyone has time to go out and get this stuff. I do it for the kids, it’s not just about the money.”

The sales change for venders every year—with new products to sell every year, different things

become popular.

“This year, I think it’s the strobe light up wands,” Cornell said. “But the strobe sticks are popular every year.”

The strobe sticks meaning that beloved glow-in-the-dark jewelry one often sees others wearing every Fourth of July and in every nighttime skating rink.

The fireworks started at 9 p.m., and the air was soon filled with excited yelps of impressed children. Some people in the crowd talking about clouds blocking some of the fireworks. However, the clouds created a colored sky effect, reflecting the colors of the fireworks that disappeared behind them. With that other lower fireworks could be seen, creating an interesting light show out of the unfortunate weather mishap.

Ultimately, many onlookers went home satisfied with the show... Although they most likely got stuck in quite a bit of traffic, as the roads were as crowded as any beach day.