Memorial Park Independence Day fireworks delayed in Colorado Springs

Fireworks, food, family and friends it’s part of tradition each year for the Fourth of July.

Thousands gathered at Memorial Park in Colorado Springs to celebrate the day, but the rain got in the way, delaying the show after many had already left.

Originally scheduled to go on at 9:00 p.m., which was right about the time rain started to pour down on the city.

Many left the park disappointed as rain delayed the expected show until around 9:40 p.m.

But earlier, Memorial Park was buzzing as people celebrated Independence Day.

Shane and Sarah Glennon came down from Aurora for the evening with their two boys.

“It’s just a tradition,” Shane said.

“It’s just special to me like my family is rooted here and it’s just beautiful the mountains, the water,” Sarah said.

Across the park Ray Whitcomb played lawn games with his family, waiting to see his boys’ faces light up when the sun goes down.

“They realize it’s not scary and they really enjoy it and that is really awesome that is like the joy of being a parent,” Whitcomb said.

For the last 12 years, Western Enterprises has put on the pyrotechnics show at Memorial Park.

The setup for the 18-minute performance took nearly 70 hours of preparation.

“Each year we try to take new shells that we either manufacture ourselves or import them from China and Japan,” Mike Carlisle, with Western Enterprises, said.

But many at the park knew it wasn’t about the Philharmonic playing, the food, or the fireworks.

“It’s a celebration of the Independence of this country,” Neal Vickrey said. “The pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness.”