On a day with temperatures hot enough to fry an egg on the pavement, most people would stay in doors with the air conditioning. Not so on America’s birthday where thousands of Santee residents celebrated at the Town Center Community Park for the city’s 13th Annual Santee Salutes fireworks festival. With more than $30,000 worth of fireworks, in large part from contributions from Waste Management who donates every year, this festival was not one to miss.
On a day with temperatures hot enough to fry an egg on the pavement, most people would stay in doors with the air conditioning. Not so on America’s birthday where thousands of Santee residents celebrated at the Town Center Community Park for the city’s 13th Annual Santee Salutes fireworks festival. With more than $30,000 worth of fireworks, in large part from contributions from Waste Management who donates every year, this festival was not one to miss.
Mayor Randy Voepel said thousands attended the festival in past years and more are sure to have come this year.
“It gets bigger every year,” he said. “It is so well done and people have so much fun they come every year.”
Voepel said with all the attendees and Santee being the last city in the county to allow alcohol in their parks, there were no fights or drunks.
“We have minimum security and when everyone leaves there will be no litter,” he said. “That is Santee for you.”
As marines from Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 retired the colors, the crowd went silent. Not a noise could be heard from the crowd who, moments before, was celebratory and loud.
Santee Councilmember John Minto then thanked all the veterans and current members of the armed forces from underneath an enormous flag that was hanging from a crane above the stage.
“I want you all to give them a big round of applause for their service to our country,” he said.
Kailin Anderson an employee of the Santee day camp volunteered for the festival this year after five years of attending the event with her family.
“The festival is getting better and better each year and there is a lot more people than last year,” she said. “I just thought it would be cool to actually work here as staff.”
With the colors retired and the scorching sun beginning to set, the festival really began with attendees dancing to the music of an 80’s tribute band and eating good eats from the gourmet food trucks.
“The talking’s over, let the partying begin,” said Voepel.
