Anderson Explodes! 2009

By George L. Winship, Editor

Originally published 08:56 a.m., June 30, 2009
Updated 01:13 p.m., July 4, 2009

On Friday, July 3, thousands of South County residents flocked to the Shasta District Fair grounds for Anderson Explodes!, the region's home-grown fireworks and picnic extravaganza.

Presented each year by the Anderson Chamber of Commerce and the Anderson Explodes! committee, the community event offered a full evening of free family fun capped by a $35,000 fireworks show put on by Pyro-Spectaculars, said Irish Robertson, executive director of the local chamber.

Free activities included face painting and children's games as well as the 10 p.m. fireworks display, which this year was simulcast on Q-97 FM, Chamber board president Pamela DelMonte said.

Gates to the fairgrounds opened at 4 p.m. just as auto racing got underway at the adjoining Shasta Raceway Park. An admission fee was required to watch the BCRA/USAC Midget cars, Modifieds, Hornets and Street Stocks race the oval, race promoter Rick Faeth said.

The grandstand seating was filled for most races and grew to a capacity audience for the fireworks show, stated Chris Workman, executive director of the 27th Agriculture District that manages the fairgrounds.

Attendees to the accompanying street fair brought lawn chairs, blankets and their own forms of entertainment to pass time until the 10 p.m. fireworks show kicked off with 9-year-old Courtney Blanc singing the national anthem, Lynn Gillis said.

The 5th annual 4-H and FFA Community Barbecue fed several thousand people who lined up to pay $10 per person for barbecued lamb, beef or goat served with fresh corn on the cob, green salad and other fixings. Nearby, at the Pepsi Stage, the Christian Rock band WeR1 provided free musical entertainment courtesy of the Anderson Parks and Recreation Department's free music series, Mosquito Serenade, more typically held each Wednesday during the summer at Anderson River Park.

A street fair complete with food booths rounded out the activities enjoyed by young and old alike.

Corporate sponsors for the event included North Valley Bank, Premier West Bank, Reach Air Medical Services, Robert R. Roberts Foundation, Anderson Valley Post and Wal-Mart. Additional financial support was also provided by Media Plus, Anderson Printing, Carls Jr., American Medical Response, Q-97 FM, Shasta Raceway Park, City of Anderson, Anderson Police Department, Anderson Fire Protection District and Woolf Security and investigations.

For more information, call 365-8095.