MATTHEWS, N.C. — Celebrations took place in Matthews on Friday night, concluding with a fireworks spectacular ahead of the Fourth of July.
Despite high temperatures, a good-sized crowd attended the event, and the Matthews Fire Department reported no heat-related emergencies.
The celebration in Matthews featured family, food, fun and patriotism.
Initial attendance was sparse when gates first opened due to the heat, which made some vendors nervous.
However, the crowd grew as the evening progressed and temperatures cooled.
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Trinity Conrad, a vendor representing Seaboard Brewing, expressed her hopes for the event, saying, “I’m hoping it’s gonna be the biggest and best because like you said it is 250, but it’s really hot right now.”
Jennifer Hunter, who operates a glitter tattoo booth, noted business picked up as the sun went down.
Hunter said, “Real busy when the sun goes down, the heat is cooler, totally fun though, glitter makes everything better.”
Ross Feldman, an organizer for the 40/60 friends of Charlotte social group, came prepared for the heat.
Feldman explained, “We’re hosting a meet-up for a group that we have called the 40/60 friends of Charlotte social group. We posted so as organizers we wanted to be early and prepared, and so we brought water and ice for everybody that’s coming.”
Event performer, Uncle Sam, maintained his patriotic spirit despite the conditions, stating, “How you holding up? I’m holding up great, I’m full of the American Spirit, so I can go all day.”
Barbara Speck, a grandparent and event participant, arrived early to secure seats for her family.
Speck explained her early arrival, saying, “Not to offend anybody, you all are a little older like myself; shouldn’t somebody be doing this for you guys instead of the other way around? All our children are working, so I came over to get seats for everybody under the tree.”
Due to dry conditions, the North Carolina State Fire Marshal recommends that individuals attend public fireworks events rather than launching their own fireworks at home.
The fire marshal also stressed the importance of creating an emergency plan in case of any incidents involving fireworks, and anyone lighting fireworks needs to follow local burn bans.