Lowell 7/3/2012 8:00 PM LeLachur Park

Showed up at 9:30, as posted. Fireworks over!!! Srtarted at 9!

Just before "dusk" you could already see some lightning off in the distance with dark clouds. By 8:45 it looked downright ominous with some closer hefty flashes nearby. The band had to shut down early due to the potential conditions and I believe with a decent crowd already there they started the fireworks early to make sure they could actually get them off before anything happened. It looked as though they would make it despite the thunder but when the wind started picking up they seemed to hasten it up and shot the big finale off in tandem and then some as spritzes of rain set in and people hightailed it back to their cars. It never did downpour but you can't predict Mother Nature so I don't blame them for safety's sake. On the way home we heard the announcement on the radio about the delay in Boston so the storms though hit or miss were definitely imminent.

It was scheduled for 9:30 -- however due to SEVERE weather in the area, the decision was made to shoot them at 9pm. I believe that decision was made by the safety officials on site (Tewksbury Fire & Police) and unfortunately we have no control over it.

Excellent. Thanks for the clarification. That makes perfect sense.
bg

I am happy with all events they held today....people that complain dont know the whole story about how much the volleteers work to make all the festivities possible!!! There were people complaining about the hot dogs, and free ice cream! Come on People...step up and make a change if you think...i know my whole family had a great time today...Thank you to all the Patriot Committee for all they do to make memories for my kids...

People will always find something to complain about....suggest they don't go or go someplace else. Everyone there seemed to be having a good time and thanks to the volunteers who make it possible.

It isn't that people are ungrateful that is the reason they are complaining. Wouldn't you be disappointed if you missed something that is only once a year? They aren't hurting anyone by complaining. They aren't ungrateful that they happened. They are simply disappointed they missed it. It is understandable.

The pending weather circumstances was beyond anyone's control and as was pointed out by the committee member it was a judgement call by the TPD/TFD. If they had cancelled at the last minute there would have been many more than a "few kids" disappointed who were ALREADY there waiting in the heat from earlier. Sorry you were disappointed. Can't win 'em all I guess....it's over with now.

BTW, On the Town's website it says:

Traffic Plans for Tewksbury's Fireworks

Date: Wednesday, July 4th (rain date Friday, July 6th)
The traffic from Main Street entering Livingston Street , as well as East Street entering Livingston Street, will be shut down at roughly 9PM (or as soon as the parking lots are full).

The estimated start time for the fireworks display will be at 9:30PM.

Were we sitting in the same town????. It didnt even storm out....disappointed once again

I am just happy they had them at all. They were cancelled until recently. The PAC with the help of others did fundraising and managed to raise the money to have the fireworks. I am sure people were disappointed but with the wind and approaching storm decisions have to be made.

I do understand how disappointing it must have been for families to drive all the way there only to see the fireworks were over. I'm glad I can see them from my house and dont have to deal with the traffic. Alot of sad kids thats for sure !

What was the reason for the major traffic heading south on route 38 and all of the cruisers rushing that way afttttter the sisplay

That was the traffic from all the people who watched the fireworks. (Which were great, thank you to all who made that happen!)

Maybe the cruisers were rushing because it was over 30 minutes earlier than expected.

Hi
very seldom do I comment but.....
I can not comment on what went on in Tewksbury because I wasnt here. I was however in North Reading at Ipswich River Park. The storm that rambled thru there was just plain nasty and extremely dangerous. If the reason Tewksbury moved the fireworks up was to avoid the storm then it was the right decision. It was a very scary situation and you can never predict exactly how these storms will move. I was as surprised as anyone when I heard nothing happened in Tewksbury. RT 62 from RT 28 looked like a war zone with trees down.
Its no fun for the kids, but I saw the other side of it.
Tom- Kona Ice

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