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Flashes of color illuminated the sky as attendees gathered in the Calera Courtyard for a special Independence Day installment of Calera Main Street’s First Friday festival series on Thursday, July 4. (Reporter photos/Mackenzee Simms)

By MACKENZEE SIMMS | Staff Writer

CALERA – Flashes of color illuminated the sky as attendees gathered in the Calera Courtyard for a special Independence Day installment of Calera Main Street’s First Friday festival series on Thursday, July 4.

This year, the July First Friday was rescheduled to Thursday because of how close Independence Day fell to the first Friday of the month. Although this caused some confusion, Calera Main Street Director Jackie Batson is confident that it didn’t have an impact on the number of attendees.

“(This year) is special because it’s the first time that we’ve been able to hold it on the actual holiday,” Batson said. “I don’t think it has hurt our crowd at all. In fact, I think we’ll probably have more people than in the past.”

Throughout the evening, guests could wander up and down 17th Street, perusing local vendor booths and enjoying a variety of activities. As sundown drew closer, children squealed in the bounce houses as teenagers challenged members of the Calera Police Department to nine-square showdowns.

All the while, a band performed the soundtrack for the evening from the Discover Shelby stage. According to Batson, Calera Main Street felt lucky to be able to have the stage for the event.

“(The Discover Shelby stage) is usually booked up and it happened to be available,” Batson said. “It is just a game changer. I love the branding and I love supporting tourism in our county.”

A little before 9 p.m., the band onstage announced the imminent commencement of the fireworks show, sponsored by TNT Fireworks for the second year in a row.

Batson shared that Calera Main Street reached out to the company last year in anticipation of the TNT Fireworks Supercenter coming to Calera. Now, one year later, the location has officially opened and the company donated all the fireworks that lit up the night sky in celebration of America’s independence.

“We are so honored that TNT fireworks was willing to donate all of the fireworks for the show,” Batson said. “I understand that they have had a tremendous grand opening and have been packed ever since their doors opened. We are just so thankful. I think it’s great that we have them in town.”

The last First Friday of the year will occur on Friday, Aug. 2 from 6-9 p.m. with the theme “Back to School.” Those interested in more information can visit Facebook.com/CaleraMainStreet2019.

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