Fireworks light up Pullman Park
The Independence Day spirit is not relegated the Fourth of July.
Following the Butler BlueSox game on Friday, July 5, a fireworks display went up at Michelle Krill Field at Historic Pullman Park. The gates opened at 8:30 p.m. to the public and drew an excited and patriotic crowd.
When asked about what the Fourth of July means to her, Elizabeth Gibson of Butler said “It means freedom, the freedom to be who you want to be without being judged.”
“Before the age of 3, I loved fireworks, but when I was 4 I was afraid of them,” Butler resident Kimberlynn Olinger said. It’s been a few years since then, but Kimberlynn said going to see the fireworks was important to her because she wanted to get over her fear of them.
John Morgan, a member of the Pullman Park board of directors, said the fireworks at Pullman Park is one of the best nights of the year for the park.
“The best seat in the house for fireworks is right here. It’s a beautiful night for fireworks. A little hot, but it’s better than getting rained out,” Morgan said.
An estimated 650 people came to watch the Butler BlueSox game and the fireworks show.
“We kind of do this every year. We come watch the game and watch the fireworks,” Butler resident Jen Kriess said.
“It’s the birth of the country. It’s the celebration of that,” said Teddy Eberhardt, of Aliquippa, whose son plays for the East Butler Bulldogs. “I just enjoy watching the baseball. I coach little ones, so it’s just part of what I do, I guess.”
Butler resident Kevin Carter said it “kind of brings you back to when you were kids. When things were calm, more peaceful.”
The Veterans Overwatch Foundation partnered with the park and bought tickets for veterans to see the fireworks. They brought 61 veterans to the event, according to chairman Joseph “Joe” Maguire of the Veterans Overwatch Foundation.
“I hope to continue to do this annually,” Maguire said.
The Veterans Overwatch Foundation’s goal is to support veterans.
“Being a veteran, I think it is important to celebrate Independence Day,” said veteran Marc Conti, who works in recreational therapy at the Butler Veterans Affairs Domiciliary. “We have so many freedoms because of the sacrifices people have made.”
