For the first time in four years, the sky above Silver Ranch Airpark on Saturday was an explosion of color.
The 25th anniversary of the Festival of Fireworks made its triumphant return to Jaffrey this past weekend, ushering in an estimated 15,000 people to the small town with big dreams.
“I was ecstatic over how wonderful it all went,” said event chair Cathy Furze. “It was a great welcome back.”
The event – coordinated by the Jaffrey Chamber of Commerce, Atlas PyroVision and Silver Ranch – was an all-day affair, offering those in an attendance a number of different activities in addition to the 40-minute fireworks show, including live music, vendors, and skydivers.
“We are having a lot of fun,” said Richard Scott, of Methuen, Massachusetts, a first-time fireworks visitor. “It’s such a fun, family-oriented event.”
For more than 20 years, the Festival of Fireworks had been held at the airpark, but everything changed in 2012 when it was canceled after the Select Board, police, and an area newspaper received letters threatening violence at the festival shortly before it was to be held.
The festival was not held again until two years ago, when the venue changed to the Cheshire Fairgrounds in Swanzey. After a couple years at the Fairgrounds, fireworks organizers determined it was time to bring the event home.
“I thought it was horrendous that we had to shut down the fireworks in Jaffrey,” said Jaffrey resident Les Dyer. “I think the fireworks were good every year, but I heard this year was going to be the biggest ever.”
Dyer was not the only person happy to have the fireworks back in Jaffrey, as Fitzwilliam resident Shannon Scirica said she boycotted the fireworks when they weren’t held in Jaffrey.
“It just wasn’t the same [when they were held in Swanzey,]” said Scirica. “The fireworks have to be here.”
Scirica, who has been coming to the fireworks for years, said her favorite year was one of the first festivals because it was the first year she took her children. This year, according to Scirica, could be just as special though: it is the first year she brought her grandchildren.
Paul Champagne of Templeton, Massachusetts, said he was excited to be back in Jaffrey for the fireworks this year, although he was unaware they had ever left.
“I’ve been coming for the past 20 years, but I missed the past few years because I was dealing with an injury,” said Champagne.
Barbara Knapp of Turners Falls, Massachusetts, is a newcomer to the fireworks this year. Knapp said a friend gave her the opportunity to attend so she figured she’d check it out.
“I’m definitely excited for the fireworks,” said Knapp. “I didn’t even know this existed until my friend told me.”
The crowning achievement on the day was the 40-minute long fireworks presentation from Atlas. A mixture of popular rock and pop songs accompanied the pyrotechnics display, which could be seen from various parts of town, including Contoocook Lake.
Furze said that about 80 volunteers gave their time for the event, adding that the event could not have taken place without the hard work and dedication of the event coordinators and volunteers.
While a stressful event to coordinate, Furze said she was grateful to have the opportunity to bring the Festival of Fireworks back to its rightful home.
“I met a couple people outside the fireworks and they hugged me and told me it was the best they had ever seen,” said Furze. “I’m thrilled with how the community embraced the fireworks returning to Jaffrey.”