Fireworks light up the Columbus sky

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stephanie Englar
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Flashes of red, blue, and green exploded across the sky at the Fireworks on the Water celebration held July 4 at the Stennis Lock and Dam in Columbus.

The rain subsided just a few hours before the main event, allowing a flyover of WWII warbirds and live performances by Grady Champion and the Starkville- Mississippi State University Symphony Winds. Children also had the opportunity to meet DD the clown, have their faces painted and bounce to their hearts content in one of three inflatable bouncy houses.

"Fireworks on the Water successfully created a backdrop of sights and sounds coupled with the aroma of summer treats like funnel cakes and ice cream that created a memory for thousands of people serving their nation and their community," noted Col. Howard McArthur, 14th Flying Training Wing's newly arrived vice commander. "It was a great 'first' community event to attend here."

"We would like to thank everyone for being patient after the rain delay," said Sonic Johnson, 14th Flying Training Wing Chief of Public Affairs and Chairman for Fireworks on the Water 2013. "We were actually in the process of cancelling the show and at 3:30 we took one last look at several weather radar sites and found a small chance that we would get a break from the rain."

The rain stopped at the park a little after 4 p.m. but not before dumping over an inch of water on the facility. With four hours of preparation work ahead, a delay to the original show schedule was imminent.

"I know we could have done a better job communicating with the 5,000 spectators the new schedule which included a 35 minute delay in starting the fireworks show," add Johnson. "Our goal was to provide the best possible Fourth of July experience to visitors, and having them wait around in uncertainty will be fixed and not happen at the next event."

The flyover of four AT-6 Texans began at precisely 7 p.m. and awed children and adults alike as the planes flew in different formations over the crowd. The AT-6 Texan was used to train pilots back in the World War II era. Although the T-6 Texan II is now used for training, the AT-6 Texan remains as a popular airplane for air shows.

Following the flyover, Grady Champion took his place on the stage to start his performance. Due to the rain delay, Champion had to finish his sound check in front of the audience before he could begin his performance. That did not stop the self- proclaimed "Mississippi Bluesman" from providing wonderful blues tunes to the audience.

Champion was born just a few hours from Columbus, in Canton, Miss. His musical career began in Mississippi as he sang in his church's choir when he was just eight years old. In 2010, he won the International Blues Challenge, and has since been cast in several high profile festivals and events such as the Chicago Blues Festival.

After Champion's performance, the Starkville-MSU Symphony Winds performed a patriotic instrumental and vocal concert. The 23-piece orchestra abbreviated performance included popular patriotic compositions and all the Service anthems including the Air Force Song, during which members of the Air Force were asked to stand and be recognized.

With their spirits lifted, spectators watched as fireworks began to blaze across the sky shortly before 10 p.m. Popular American songs were choreographed with the fireworks and played in the background during the 18-minute long fireworks show.

"It was an honor to team up with the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau, The Army Corps of Engineers, Lowndes County, the Air Force Association and the City of Columbus to bring this first-class fireworks event to the community," said Col Jim Sears, 14th Flying Training Wing Commander. "Fireworks on the Water embodies the 14th FTW vision that we are the premier pilot training wing and community developing the world's best Airmen."