NEWBURYPORT - Tonight's Yankee Homecoming fireworks show "is the biggest we've ever had," event Chairman Jason Lacroix said yesterday.
A late surge of fundraising activity brought the fireworks budget to $30,000, Lacroix said yesterday. That's about $5,000 more than in recent years.
The show is scheduled to start at 9:15 and will last about 30 minutes, he said. It will be preceded by a concert in Market Landing Park from 7:30 to 9 by the United States Air Force Band of Liberty.
The fireworks will be staged from Cashman Park, but will be visible throughout downtown. Market Landing Park, on the city's central waterfront, is considered a prime viewing area and is usually packed with people well in advance of the concert.
The fireworks have been an annual staple of Yankee Homecoming's final Saturday since the festival's 25th annual celebration in 1982.
Atlas Pyrovision of Jaffrey, N.H., is putting on this year's display. Because of the presence of explosives, Cashman Park was closed for 24 hours, beginning at midnight last night, Lacroix said. The playground near Pop Crowley Way will remain open, he said.
Lacroix cited two local banks - the Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank and the Institution for Savings - for their continuing support of the fireworks show. He also grave credit to Chuck and Ann Lagasse and to Gary Swerling of Packaging Specialties for their financial help, along with Essex County Sheriff Frank Cousins and former Homecoming General Chairman Michael Roy.
Annual Fireworks Show
Where: Cashman Park, Newburyport waterfront
When: 9:15 p.m. (preceded by band concert in Market Landing Park at 7:30)
Where to view them: Downtown Newburyport waterfront; Salisbury bank of Merrimack River. Spots with view of the Merrimack River should afford good views of the fireworks.
