Storm can’t dampen Manassas spirit

By Kipp Hanley

Published: July 5, 2008

Mother Nature couldn't keep people from having a great time at the Manassas 4th of July Celebration Friday.

Shortly after 5 p.m., a fierce but brief storm blew into Old Town, forcing those gathered under the roof at the Loy E. Harris Pavilion for the apple pie judging contest to open their umbrellas for protection from the wind and driving rain.

Those manning booths on Battle Street preparing for the watermelon- and pie-eating contests had to quickly collapse their umbrella roofs for fear they would blow away, said Old Town Sweet Shoppe owner Annette Womack.

But moments later, the weather calmed and the crowds began to pick up in anticipation of the fireworks show later that night. Womack said the fear of rain kept some people away early and it showed for the first couple of hours of the festival.

However, by 6 p.m., families and friends flocked back to the booths and the stage where Point Blank Band was entertaining the crowd with covers of hits by bands like the Cars, Jackson Browne, the Pretenders and Fleetwood Mac.

The stage was the first place Bristow residents Jason and Karla Latona brought their children. Along with the music, Jason said he was impressed with all the political parties being represented—former Republican governor Jim Gilmore and former Democratic governor Mark Warner were both stumping for their U.S. Senate race.

While 2-year-old Ellie and 1-year-old Zach probably wouldn't make the fireworks show scheduled for just after 9 p.m., the Latonas planned on watching the pyrotechnics from over the treetops of their western Prince Wil-liam suburb.

Dumfries residents Jan and Kevin Keady and their son Ryan arrived early, staking out a place on the lawn adjacent to the Pavilion for the fireworks watching—and people watching, joked Jan.

And then there was Ted Riley of

Manassas.

He said he normally attends the fireworks show after the July 4 Potomac Nationals game at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge. This year, he and his brother and sister-in-law were seated under some bushes at the corner of Prince William and Battle Streets—giving them a bird's eyeview of the impending fireworks.

The Rileys originally sat there to get shade from the sun but instead found protection from just the opposite.

"We have the shade and there are Don Johns [portable toilets] across the street, so it's the perfect location," joked Riley before the storm.

Staff writer Kipp Hanley can be reached at 703-369-5738.