The fact that there was no fireworks event this year at Jamison stadium did not stop personal celebrations of Independence Day throughout Porterville — with friends, family and individual fireworks.

As the sun set shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday night, little pops and hissing noises could be heard from the personal firework displays in front of homes and at community events.

The New Life Center held their annual celebration in the parking lot with a barbecue and a firework display that went on for nearly 20 minutes. The show culminated with sparklers for all the children in attendance.

Nearby, the neighborhood on Delta Street and Morton Avenue celebrated with their own backyard barbecues and small fireworks that children set up on the pavement to watch them sparkle as darkness grew.

Owner of the house and resident chef Jesus Lupercio manned the barbecue and passed out chicken, steak, shrimp and oysters and tiny green peppers in a backyard full of visitors and family members.
“We celebrate with the family, and set off fireworks for the kids,” Ozzy Dueñas said.

“We’re all gathered here together today to celebrate Independence Day,” attendee Roger Campos said. “All our cousins came to celebrate with us.”

Andrea Montano, who came to the gathering with her grandmother, said she enjoys seeing her relatives each July 4.
“My favorite part of the day is when we all are together because I don’t get to see [my relatives] often,” Montano said.

New Life Center members, who sold fireworks in the days prior to their event to raise funds to send their children to summer camp, set off the remnants from the booth.

“Sales were really slow until the last two days [before the holiday],” said David Mast, pastor at the church. “The economy has been hurting people a lot these days,” he said.

They usually set off a total of $500 to $600 worth of fireworks, youth pastor Loretta Mast said. “That all goes up in smoke,” she said. Attendance was lower this year than in the past 15 years the event was held, Mast said.

“I think a lot of families are staying [at home] this year to celebrate,” Loretta Mast said.

Before the fireworks were lit, families gathered around in folding chairs while younger children sat as close to the display as they were permitted.

A row of young boys hollered out the different names of each firework as they exploded.

“The best firework is the ‘Piccolo Pete’,” Justin Kenney said, as it went off with a high-pitched keen.

“My favorite is the ‘Morning Glory’ because it’s really colorful,” Johnathon Hann said. “It’s the one wrapped in the American flag paper,” he said excitedly.

-- Contact Sarah de Crescenzo at 784-5000, Ext. 1045, or sdecrescenzo@portervillerecorder.com.