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Shafter's 3rd of July show lights up the sky

The Shafter Chamber of Commerce held their annual Fireworks Show on Sunday night, filling the night sky with a display of color and explosion.

The event was held at the Shafter Recreation fields next to the Shafter High Football Stadium, which is still being completed.

The event drew a large crowd of over 2,000 people, with many others scattered throughout the nearby neighborhoods, holding cookouts, watching parties, and sitting in their yards, ready to watch the spectacle.

On the grounds of the baseball fields, there were vendors selling tacos, funnel cakes, drinks, shaved ice, and many other concession fare, adding to the festivity of the evening, which saw the night with a very pleasant 80 degrees. The Minter Field Air Museum was also there with their Yellow Follow Me Jeep, LOACH Helicopter and an antique fire engine, giving kids a chance to check the vehicles out and get their pictures taken with them.

The fireworks show was free of charge, with donations being accepted. The event is made possible by the generosity of the many sponsors that assist the Chamber of Commerce in holding the entertaining show. “It wouldn’t be possible to hold this type of show without some very generous sponsors, with the assistance of donations made by our generous community,” said Chamber Director Adrian Monsevais.

Angel Martinez was on hand once again providing the sound and music for the event, keeping the attendees dancing and enjoying the wide array of tunes. The event drew attendees from all over the county, with people from Delano, McFarland, Wasco, Bakersfield, and surrounding areas. This was evident by the winner of the 50/50 drawing. A Bakersfield woman, Denise Maytubby, a friend of former Wasco Tribune Editor Toni Derosa, won the $1,400 that was given away. “This is my first time attending the show in Shafter, but it sure wont be my last. It was a wonderful show,” said Maytubby.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Shafter’s DYW Faith Balzadua, with a moment of silence following, for the fallen heroes who have given their lives for our freedom to celebrate this holiday.

As the sun set, the sky was filled for over 20 minutes with an array of fireworks that dazzled the attendees. The presentation was put on by nationally renowned company Zambelli Fireworks, who have been doing the show for over a decade.

The main event didn’t disappoint, with numerous blasts of single and multiple bursts, lighting up the sky. “It was awesome,” said Danielle Mendoza, who was here from Delano, with her three children. “I have been coming here for a couple of years now. We just love it.”

 

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