Downtown fireworks leaves crowd in awe

Related story: Dashing around townBy DAVID SKOLNICK

skolnick@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

A colorful display of fireworks downtown elicited plenty of “oohs” and “ahhs” — as well as applause, car horns honking and fingers pointing to the sky.

A favorite spot for several to watch Saturday’s display was the lawn and sidewalk in front of the post office on Walnut Street, just across the street from the Covelli Centre, but cars passing through the area stopped along Front Street and the adjacent parking lots. Even cars traveling the main north and south streets into downtown — Fifth, Belmont, Wick and South avenues and Market Street — slowed to take in the show.

The center was where the fireworks were set off.

When the 10-minute display began, several kids looked up with big smiles.

Plopped down on the sidewalk by the post office was Christina Lavassaur of Youngstown with her two children, Oriana, 5, and Lily, 1, along with Danielle Collins of Struthers and her three boys, Ryan, 5; Conner, 3; and Logan, 10 months.

“This is my first time here and we’re all very excited,” Lavassaur said. “We needed a free activity.”

Lily laughed when she saw the first fireworks.

She saw a neighborhood show Friday, but it was much smaller than Saturday’s show, Lavassaur said.

Collins attended the city’s fireworks show last year, and she and her family were so impressed they returned this year.

“It was very good,” she said.

The city paid $5,500 to Colonial Fireworks Displays of Toledo for the show.