By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com
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ELLERBE — Fireworks aficionados descended upon the town of Ellerbe late Saturday for a rich pyrotechnics display.
Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
“The rockets red glare,” penned Francis Scott Key in 1814, the last year of the War of 1812 against England. Key was situated on a sailing ship in Chesapeake Bay in sight of Fort McHenry. Key, originally against the war, found he cared very much for a favorable outcome for the Americans after the English had bombarded the fort for more than 24 hours.
America first fought for its independence from 1776 to 1781, of course, but British and French ships executed stop-and-search checks on Americans nearly 30 years later. British ships also seized American sailors for British service, leading President James Madison to declare war.
On Saturday, though, those red “rockets” turned into brilliantly lit shades of green, blue, pink, orange and purple.
The annual event is staged by the Ellerbe Lions Club with assistance from members of the Ellerbe Volunteer Fire Department.
Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
