Rain "Cuts" Concert Short,
But Spectacular Fireworks Show
Lights Sky in Town, Saturday Night

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

 

With a nice rain in Sulphur Springs and all of Hopkins County, just minutes before the scheduled 7:45 p.m., 19th Annual Symphony Concert and Fireworks Show, Saturday night, residents still crowded to the downtown area and the rain subsided long enough for the concert to begin and introductions to be made. However, with expensive and wooden instruments in the orchestra, soon a return of light rain, forced the symphony musicians back under cover, in Alliance Bank. Symphony Conductor, Douglas Bakenhus, announced, "We've just got too many expensive instruments out here, exposed to the elements to continue trying to perform, but you can relax and enjoy the fireworks!"

 

Workers quickly removed plastic covers from the stage microphones, once it
was decided that the rain would allow the concert to "go on!"

 

The concert had been delayed a few minutes, as musicians "huddled" in Alliance Bank, and organizers debated on what to do. However, the rain subsided and the orchestra took the stage for five or six songs, before being "run inside!"

 

Dwight Corley, President of the Sulphur Springs Symphony League,
welcomed everyone to the concert .

 

Sulphur Springs Vision Center was recognized for their 15 year sponsorship of  the fireworks
display, as they were presented this token of appreciation.

 

Vocalists Mike Dodd and Michael Rorex, each presented songs, and Dodd was able to deliver the national anthem, as the color guard from the Hopkins County Military Coalition presented "Old Glory" and the Texas Flag.

 

Vocalist, Mike Dodd, presented the national anthem, at Saturday night's concert.

 

The Hopkins County Military Coalition presented the colors.

 

 

 

Tom Sellers, Alliance Bank President, welcomed everyone and
thanked Circle E Western Store and GSC Enterprises for co-sponsoring
the event with Alliance Bank.

 

 

 

 

    

Vocalists included, Tenors, left, Michael Rorex, and our own Mike Dodd.

 

 

Despite wanting to continue, Conductor, Douglas Backenhus, had to cancel the concert,
as light rain began to fall....

 

And, musicians began hastily exiting the stage with instruments "in tow!"

 

Meanwhile, the Sulphur Springs Leadership Class concession stand was doing a great business of selling,
cotton candy, hot dogs, nachos, and drinks....

 

 

 

Shortly after Bakenhus left the stage, the first of the fireworks were ignited and lit-up the sky, with a spectacular show. "This has to be the best show ever!" exclaimed one excited child, from his front-row seat. "Look how big they are!"

Enjoy these scenes from Saturday night's show:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy 4th of July!!!!

 

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