Rochester residents Alfred Smith and Camille Lachance had mapped out their strategy for watching the annual Fourth of July fireworks.
They planned to watch the light show from a rooftop in Rochester. Then they found out the bad news — the show was canceled because of the rain.
"That is sad!" Lachance said upon hearing the news.
That sentiment was shared by plenty of fireworks fans who could be seen toting away their coolers and camping chairs from Silver Lake late Sunday afternoon. This marks the first time in decades that the show was washed out by rain.
The fireworks show is now scheduled for 10 p.m. today, although there is a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms this evening, according to the National Weather Service.
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Post-Bulletin Promotions Director John Withers, who oversaw the fireworks show for 35 years, said he could not recall it ever being canceled during those years. But Withers said it was inevitable that the lucky streak would come to an end.
"We knew it was only a matter of time before it was going to happen," he said.
Both last year and this year, the fireworks show has been sponsored by Joe Powers, Gus Chafoulias and Andy Chafoulias.
Pyrotechnician Linda Edd with J&M Displays said Sunday's on-going rain prevented crews from setting up the fireworks, which need to stay dry. She said it takes six hours to get the fireworks show set up.
"It's so disappointing because we all love what we do and it is so sad for us and the customers and the community," Edd said.
But fireworks were not washed out everywhere. Shows in Austin adn Stewartville went ahead as scheduled.
As for Smith and Lachance, they decided to make the most of the holiday evening.
"I am going to barbecue anyway," Smith said.
