Mike Jarrell and his family had staked out their spot in plenty of time to see the annual Goochland Fourth of July fireworks display.

“We’ve got the quick exit out,” said Jarrell, District Fire Chief at Company 2 in Crozier, as he sat with wife Michaelann and sons Preston and Max outside the fence around the old high school football field.

Only a few people were there as early as the Jarrells, but by 9 p.m. a steady stream of arrivals had swelled the crowd considerably.

“We’re expecting a good turnout,” said Parks and Recreation Director Derek Stamey.

Most passed on sitting in the bleachers, opting instead to spread blankets on the field or sit in lawn chairs. 

As the crowd waited, children played tag and other games, burning off energy while their parents watched from the sidelines.

And watchers gathered at a number of designated areas around the soccer fields: The Fairgrounds building parking area was crowded, said Goochland County Board of Supervisors Chairman William Quarles when he arrived at the sports complex.

Other locations for viewing were the high school/middle school complex, J.  Sergeant Reynolds Community College and Goochland Elementary School.

It was the second year for fireworks from the soccer complex; previously Hidden Rock Park had hosted the event.

Stamey said the fireworks cost the department about $14,000, and were staged by Dominion Fireworks from Petersburg.

Shortly after 9 p.m., with the sky not quite dark, an initial burst alerted the crowd that the show was about to start. About 10 minutes later the 20-minute fireworks display began.

Whether fireworks will be on the agenda next year remains to be seen, said Stamey.

In the current climate of fiscal austerity, all programs are up for review. But Stamey said the public seems to like fireworks, judging from responses to questionnaires sent out about parks and recreation programs.

“It’s extremely popular,” said Stamey.

Photo by Ken Odor
Hannah Beck and her niece Keira, 3, work off some energy before the fireworks show Sunday night.