Janesville's Star Spangled Saturday was filled with fireworks and fun

JANESVILLE — The smell of fried fair food, the warm summer heat and the sound of “oohs” and “ahhs” at the firework display filled up Traxler Park at Janesville’s pre-Fourth of July event Star Spangled Saturday.

The park was filled with cars parked down the block as people tried to find a good spot to watch the fireworks.

The Rock Aqua Jays sponsor the event each year, but because of the high river, the water ski show that usually happens before the fireworks was called off.

The high water is also holding back the continuation of the Aqua Jays’ 63rd season with shows themed after the movie “Ghostbusters.”

The Aqua Jays have only been able to perform twice this season at Traxler because of the high water on the river and other weather-related delays.

This year’s shows feature “Ghostbusters” characters in custom-made costumes — and fireworks.

Announcers at the Saturday event said that this year’s show is “the best the groups has ever put together.” The Jays are hoping the water level will recede because the ski show is a “can’t miss” event.

A large puddle near the bleachers with a sign warning about the high water deterred people from sitting in the Aqua Jay stadium stands.

The sandbar that normally sits in front of the bleachers was covered by more than a foot of water.

Even though the full show couldn’t go on, the Jays still managed to showcase some of it with performers dressed up in their Ghostbuster costumes. They threw out movie themed merchandise into the audience as they tried to keep the spirit alive.

Melanie Bennett of Janesville brought her kids and her grandkids to the show. Opting to not sit in the stand, she and her crew set up chairs near the playground in the park.

She said that they came just for the fireworks show. She was sad that the water ski show was canceled but she understood the reasoning, especially after seeing just how high the water had risen.

She said she loves the fireworks and watching the look on her grandkids faces as they watch the bright colors above them.

As the band Boston’s “More than a Feeling” played, bright flashes of colors and loud booms filled the sky and drew cheers from the crowd.

Inspirational sounds of past presidents talking about freedom and American independence rang out over the speakers as the audience watched in awe of the choreographed display of fireworks in the sky until the finale came and firework after firework went off over the park.