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Groovin’ crowd enjoys fireworks show in Fairfield

Anna Beljin sings on stage as her father Milovan Beljin plays guitar during Fairfield’s festivities at Village Green on Saturday, July 3.

Staff photo by James McAuley Anna Beljin sings on stage as her father Milovan Beljin plays guitar during Fairfield’s festivities at Village Green on Saturday, July 3.

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By Lindsey Hilty, Staff Writer 12:51 AM Sunday, July 4, 2010

FAIRFIELD — Dozens of empty lawn chairs decorated the Village Green hillside Saturday afternoon as residents staked out their spots early for the evening-long July 3 festivities.

Hamilton resident Dorothy Kuhl and her family found a shaded spot, planning to spend the entire evening there.

Each week, she said she attends concerts in the park for Groovin’ on the Green, and every year she attends the July 3 celebration.

The same held true for many of those gathered. The Groovin’ on the Green crowd is like a big family with steady support from area residents, said Jo Beth Yambrich, events programmer with Fairfield parks and recreation.

Many of them stay, but some go on to Harbin Park to join the expected 5,000 for fireworks. Roughly 1,500 were expected at the Village Green throughout the evening, and 10,000 expected in festivities citywide.

Groovin’ regulars Donna and Mike Cooper said they came out particularly to hear Anna and Milovan, a local father and daughter duo.

Linda Thompson of Hamilton, also a regular, staked out her spot right in the middle of the amphitheater.

“I know from being at the other concerts, if you are in the middle, you get better sound,” she said.

Behind her on the hill, Sierra Pitula, 4, of Ross, and her extended family set up camp for their annual family gathering with patriotic-themed balloons to mark their spot.

The fireworks, she said, would be the highlight of her night.

“I like them,” she said.

Maddie Isaacs, 9, of Oxford, agreed.

“It’s neat seeing the colors all over,” she said. “It’s like paint in the sky.”

Andy Noller, licensed exhibitor for Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks, said there were more than 1,400 fireworks shot from Harbin Park. “It’s a real nice sight,” he said. “It’s one of our bigger shows.”

Staff Writer Michael D. Pitman contributed to this report.

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