Sylvania puts on 'beautiful' fireworks show

Thousands turned out Tuesday for Sylvania’s Star Spangled Celebration at Centennial Terrace, that culminated in a 20-minute long fireworks display shortly after 10 p.m.

The fireworks were put on by Pyrotecnico, a Pennsylvania company which has handled the show for many years. The event, which started at 7 p.m., also featured live music by Randy & the Reef Sharks, dancing, activities for children, and food and beverages.

PHOTO GALLERY: Click here to view images
RELATED ARTICLE: Perrysburg fireworks brighten the sky

“We’ve been bringing my kids for the past few years now and they absolutely love it. The ‘Oohs’ and ‘Aahs’ never get old. [The fireworks] were great this year,” said Eric Lilje of Toledo.

Katie Ryan, left, and Allison Rearick, both 17, attempt to dance with one another during the Star-Spangled Celebration at the Centennial Terrace in Sylvania, Ohio on Tuesday. THE BLADE/ZACK CONKLE Enlarge | Buy This Photo

Sylvania Township police, as well as fire department, were available during and after the show, for both crowd control and medical attention.

Sylvania Township Trustee Kevin Haddad pronounced the pyrotechnics of 2012 “a beautiful show.” He said, “we always have a good celebration but this year was really exceptional,” despite new regulations of fireworks that he said reduced the elevations to which they can be shot.

The fireworks event was briefly threatened with rain, but got only a sprinkling.

Mr. Haddad said that because of the crowds traffic heading south on Centennial Avenue following the event was moving slowly.

The display has been delayed in previous years because of people using a bike trail north of the show launch site. Fences were installed in those areas to help start the show on time and keep residents out of an area where they could be potentially harmed.

He said the total cost of $28,500 was split between the township, the city of Sylvania, and the Sylvania Joint Recreation District, and that it was expected to be reduced by about half through donations from private entities.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the fireworks this year, they were exceptionally beautiful, the sense of community, patriotism, it’s nice to see everyone together. There’s a great feeling of togetherness that you can’t get anywhere else,” said Mary Corder, of Perrysburg, who watches the Sylvania fireworks every year at a family party.

The event is co-sponsored by the City of Sylvania, Sylvania Township, Coca-Cola, Stapleton Insurance Group, Waterford Bank and the Sylvania Recreation District.