The nation's largest Fourth of July fireworks display went off without a hitch Saturday despite rain throughout the day and into the evening in Nashville.
Yet rain or no rain, event officials said the show was to go on no matter what, much to the delight of the massive crowd that packed onto Broadway and spilled onto every side street downtown. Still there were concert delays throughout the day, and Martina McBride's concert was delayed by about 20 minutes.
The rain was only a minor inconvenience for the thousands gathered downtown throughout the day and into the night who enjoyed the festivities and jockeyed for the best spots.
Many congregated along the prime Riverfront Park location in the early morning and afternoon hours, getting rained on multiple times.
For the Brentwood Baptist Deaf Church seated on the banks of the Cumberland River, the closer the seating, the better. The group of 10 gathered at about 2:30 p.m. to claim a seat.
Allison Randolph, a fellow church-goer who translated for the group, said sitting closer enhances the experience. The feeling of the explosions is a bodily experience.
"You feel the vibrations of the fireworks," she translated for Aric Randolph. "It's like your chest is pounding and your heart skips a beat."
The rain also wasn't a problem for Donnie and Melanie Bearden. The two were set on seeing the fireworks, an experience they had to experience before Melanie is scheduled for brain surgery at the end of the month.
The two were armed with umbrellas and tarps, and sat hand-in-hand. They were set on making as memories as possible in the next month.
"I told her no fireworks show she's ever been to will add up to this one," Donnie said.
"And I hope this is something I can remember immediately after my surgery," Melanie said.
Brentwood, Franklin reschedule
The Franklin and Brentwood celebrations weren't as lucky as Nashville.
A flash flood warning was issued for Williamson, Rutherford, Hickman and Dickson counties. The rain throughout the day caused Franklin's and Brentwood's events to be canceled. Both have rescheduled.
Brentwood's live concert will begin at 8 p.m. Sunday and the fireworks will start at 9 p.m. at Crockett Park.
Franklin's fireworks will begin 9:15 p.m. Sunday at Harlinsdale Park.
There is a 20 percent chance of rain on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.
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