Fireworks for the 4th
Party at the fairgrounds offers music and more
By Charles Batchelor STAFF WRITER

Find the fireworks at the fairground on July 4th at the end of Courthouse Road. (From Route 288, take the Route 10 east exit, then turn left at the first traffic light.)

"They are not small shows," William G. Bulifant, III, of Dominion Fireworks says of the two fireworks displays his firm will present in the county on the Fourth of July.

They are not huge super-spectaculars like what his company launches from barges at Virginia Beach where Bulifant has an ocean of space, however. "We'll have a wide variety of fireworks, but we can't shoot the 12-inch shells at the fairgrounds. That would be unsafe," he explains.

The trick to putting on a good show, says Bulifant, is a variety of pretty colors and patterns plus pacing. "We try to keep it intense. After 15 minutes, it can get boring if you don't pace it carefully."

"Come early," was what Dave Caras, a community recreation manager for the county said when asked for insider tips about the show at the fairgrounds. "It fills up pretty quick."

Last year about 13,000 people came out to the fairgrounds for the July 4th event, the largest crowd ever for the free show. "We're obviously growing each year," he noted.

Zebo the Clown

As before, the gates open at 5 p.m., and there will be a children's area with clowns and activities to keep tykes busy. The Kings of Swing will start to play traditional patriotic and holiday music at 6 p.m.

Fireworks go off at dark, which is about 9 p.m. "But, I never give an exact time," says Caras.

About half of the crowd brings a picnic to enjoy as the sun sets and the other half goes for the "fair food" sold on the grounds, estimates Caras.

Coolers are permitted but will be searched- no personal fireworks, no glass containers and no alcohol. Leave your pets at home.

"I recommend blankets or lawn chairs," Caras said. "And everyone should bring water to drink. It can get hot." Caras said the show is a "rain or shine" event, and stressed that it has not moved to the county airport, as some announcements earlier in the year said.

The title sponsor of the event is Comcast Metro Richmond and Chesterfield Celebrates, with additional financial support from AIM USA and the law firm of Allen, Allen, Allen and Allen.

Dominion Fireworks will also put on a show for Brandermill over the lake. "They are very similar shows," Bulifant says, although the subdivision off of Hull Street Road can't handle traffic and crowds as well as the fairgrounds.