ELLERBE — Fireworks aficionados descended upon the town of Ellerbe late Saturday for a rich pyrotechnics display.
"The rockets red glare," penned Francis Scott Key in 1814, the last year of the War of 1812 against England. Key was situated on a sailing ship in Chesapeake Bay in sight of Fort McHenry. Key, originally against the war, found he cared very much for a favorable outcome for the Americans after the English had bombarded the fort for more than 24 hours.
America first fought for its independence from 1776 to 1781, of course, but British and French ships executed stop-and-search checks on Americans nearly 30 years later. British ships also seized American sailors for British service, leading President James Madison to declare war.
On Saturday, though, those red "rockets" turned into brilliantly lit shades of green, blue, pink, orange and purple.
The annual event is staged by the Ellerbe Lions Club with assistance from members of the Ellerbe Volunteer Fire Department.
We enjoyed the fire works in Ellerbe last night . It looked as if most of the County was there last night the most I have seen there . The Sheriffs Dept did a great job on the traffic control. Thanks to Ellerbe and all those attending last night for a great night out .
If you have ever seen a real fire works display, then you would know how bad the fire works were in Hamlet. They seem to be getting worse every year. I know Hamlet doesn't have a lot of money for fire works, but good grief people, do something to celebrate the fourth. Parade maybe.