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Summer storms threatened Decherd’s second Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, but by late afternoon, it was confirmed the show would go on, and, to say the least, those who attended were not let down by what they saw from the sky above.

Beginning at 6 p.m. food trucks assembled at John L. Sanders Park ready to serve the public traditional Fourth of July food items, plus some new treats.

Tri-Star BBQ Masters, Jiffy Dip, Kettle Korn Kommander, GoGo Hoagies, Hillbilly Q and Simmons Ice Cream were featured food trucks this year.

There was an enormous gathering of spectators who chose to tailgate, bring lawn chairs, sit on blankets or use the park’s bleachers to view the firework show. Vehicles filled the nearby parking lots with cars parked on side streets to watch the display.

The fireworks show could easily be viewed from as far away as the Main Street business district in downtown Decherd.

The public raved about the Independence Day Celebration and the grand fireworks display, which kicked off at 9 p.m.

“I did not expect a crowd this size for a small-town fireworks show,” one first-time spectator commented.

Despite the large volume of viewers, the Decherd Police Department effectively kept traffic at a minimum and public safety a top priority by directing traffic in multiple areas and blocking off sections close to the fireworks display.

Others described the firework show with words such as “spectacular” and “awesome.”

Expectations for a small-town fireworks show were completely blown out of the water, according to public opinion.

Many took to social media to thank the city of Decherd and Decherd Fire & Rescue for hosting this event for the public.

“That was phenomenal, hands down the best show I’ve ever seen. Can’t wait to see next year’s,” one Facebook user had written.

Decherd held it’s first-ever fireworks show last year, and Peyton Cornett and Zach Langford, who spearheaded the project, said they were eager to make Saturday’s second round bigger and better.

The two Fire Department engineers picked up where they left off last year as they strived to improve over last year’s offerings.

Cornett and Langford said they decided last year to push for the fireworks show to give something back to their community.

Cornett said other communities, including Winchester, Estill Springs, Tullahoma and Sewanee, have had fireworks shows either sponsored privately or by their respective cities, and he felt Decherd needed to have one to assume its own fireworks identity.

To say the least, it worked.

Cornett and Langford received praise last year at the Board of Mayor and Aldermen’s July meeting when the two were presented with matching certificates of appreciation for the first fireworks show that say:

“In recognition of your exemplary and continued support to Decherd Fire and Rescue, specifically for initiative, planning and execution of the City of Decherd’s 2022 July 4th Fireworks Celebration, your time, service and dedication is greatly appreciated by all members of the department and the citizens of the City of Decherd.”

Cornett and Langford had a $5,000 budget to work with last year, and the city agreed to up the amount to $7,500 this year.

Cornett said the additional fireworks this year wouldn’t extend the event’s time frame. He explained that the process involved speeding up the ignition cycle and having more fireworks set off in the same amount of time, which further held the audience’s attention.

Langford said he gained experience working with the fireworks show at Sewanee, and it was natural to continue doing the same at Decherd after he became a fireman.

Cornett and Langford said they hope the number of spectators will continue to grow annually, and plans are to add more accommodations in subsequent years.

Cornett said a future goal is to add a Kidz Zone area and have a waterslide and bounce house available for children.

“We want to turn it into a full-day event that can be enjoyed be everyone,” he said.

For a list of local freedom celebrations scheduled for the Fourth of July itself, click here.