Meridian lights up

About 7,000 people watched Meridian light up Saturday night during the Meridian Fireman's Association annual fireworks show.

Jim Hafferty, president of the association, said it was the biggest crowd in the event's more than 20-year history.

"We had a fantastic turnout and a really nice show," he said Sunday.

The annual event, held in downtown Meridian, is the association's main fund-raiser for the town's all-volunteer fire department. About 400 people paid for a tri-tip dinner before the show, and proceeds will go toward department expenses that exceed daily operations.

"This is basically how we keep the thing going," Hafferty said.

The event began as a small picnic for firefighters to hold with their families, Hafferty said, and has grown into a full-fledged fireworks show that attracts out-of-towners.

Why the show is held after the Independence Day weekend, he's not sure.

"It's kind of stuck in this quirky tradition," he said.

Appeal-Democrat reporter Daniel Thigpen can be reached at 749-4713. You may e-mail him at dthigpen@appeal-democrat.com.