Plant City remained one of the few firework shows in Tampa Bay that was not impacted due to the burgeoning storms. Though attendance was less than prior years, many in town still flocked to the stadium to take part in the annual event.
Tug of war turned into a mud bath and the bounce houses were littered with strewn clumps of wet grass, but the stadium was nonetheless filled with a festive spirit as parents and children laughed and ran through the drizzle toward the next activity.
Several chose to try to stay relatively dry with the large umbrellas they toted whereas others simply smiled and let their red, white and blue outfits soak up the soft rain. When ROTC did the Presentation of the Colors the entire stadium stood to its feet, saluting the flag and singing the National Anthem.
Jack Holland, director of recreation and parks for the City of Plant City, led the crowd in a countdown as the lights were extinguished to start the approximately 20-minute long firework spectacular. Cued to U.S. classics, large colorful explosions filled the air to a backdrop of favorites like Bruce Springsteen, Martina McBride and Coldplay.