Thousands pack Rock Hill for annual July 4 event

ROCK HILL, S.C. — Thousands of people packed downtown Rock Hill on Friday night for the city's annual Red, White and Boom event.

The city estimates between 12,000 and 15,000 people filled the streets in front of city hall.

Many of them enjoying the fireworks were thankful the wet weather they prepared for held off.

Families raced to grab their places in line, hoping to snag a seat-and a few spins around the Ferris wheel.

Brandi Jordan opted to take it all in from the ground.

“I am having a great time I’m not up there,” she said.

She is enjoying the smiling faces of the kids in her youth group.

• IMAGES: Red, White and Boom in Rock Hill on Friday

As a pastor, she said it's been a rough couple of weeks for churches nationwide

She said looking around, seeing thousands of people from all walks of life -- playing games, cheering on one another in the annual ice cream competition -- is sending an important message leading into the holiday weekend.

“We have our youth out here today, just to show them that everything is not bad, and you can still get out and have fun in the world,” Jordan said.

• WATCH video from the fireworks:

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Organizers boosted security from 12 to 16 officers for this year's event and spent Friday monitoring the weather-forming contingency plans.

All of that planning was so attendees would only have to focus on family and fun.

The fireworks operators shrink-wrapped the fireworks as a precautionary step.  It rained for a few minutes earlier but not enough to stop this show.

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