The 2009 Fireworks Festival

WOW!

That was the overwhelming response the Upton Men’s Club received from the thousands of people who attended this year’s 2009 Fireworks Festival.  Thanks to Joan Scribner, Principle of Nipmuc High School, and Antonio Fernandez, Superintendent of Schools for the Mendon-Upton School District, we were given the permission to use the Nipmuc Soccer field to launch our fireworks display.  This field, being directly across the street from the festival activities at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School allowed the Upton Men’s Club to work out a completely new show with the fireworks company, Atlas Pyrovisions.  The result was a fireworks display that was both exciting and intimate.  It was a wonderful feeling watching everyone's jaws drop with amazement.  Atlas Provisions’ attention to detail and professionalism is to be credited for the best fireworks this town has ever seen.

The entire day was a great success as the weather taunted us with clouds and lightning strikes in the distance.  Around 5:00 in the evening the field was surrounded by them, but the crowd braved it out and stood their ground praying it would pass.  In the end, the storm passed and the skies cleared.  At 9:30 Shanna Glassman, one of Upton’s talented Police officers began to sing the National Anthem.  As she sang “…and the rockets’ red glare”, the sky lit up with a cascade of light shooting up from the soccer field.  It was breathtaking!  Towards the end of the show, a small explosion occurred at eye level.  As people gasped wondering what happened, the American Flag made of colored fireworks boldly appeared through the smoke.  It was a wonderful patriotic experience commemorating this great country’s history and independence.

All of the events throughout the day were a big hit as well.  The kids had an opportunity to skate with professional skateboarder Donny Barley who put on a great show for the crowd.  They also enjoyed an exciting motorcycle show with motorcycles screaming around the parking lot performing various stunts. 

There were shows for the kids including several dance routines presented by Danceworks Acadamy of Upton and a magic show presented by Jason Kallio of Say it with Magic.  The United States Army brought a huge 4 person rock climbing wall that was used throughout the day.

The David Rose Jr. Memorial Car Show was the biggest car show to date with over 130 cars on display.  It was very professional and had some amazing entries.  All who participate were most certainly proud of the turnout.

The older crowd enjoyed a wonderful concert by the Southeastern Massachusetts Community Concert Band and Free Ballin who played popular music to close out the day. 

Finally, came the races which took place later in the evening this year and located in the upper parking lot where the car show was held.  There was a kids electric car race, a lawn tractor race and a modified tractor drag race. 

The kids decorated their cars with flags and patriotic colors and it was so much fun watching them race around the track hoping to win.  In the end every one of them received a wonderful trophy complete with a tractor on it to commemorate their participation.   

The tractor race was once again a big hit for the crowd.  The drivers raced around the track stopping twice to complete a food challenge along the way.  The first food challenge was to eat 5 saltine crackers with no water.  All of the crackers had to be gone before they could get back on their tractors.  The second food challenge was eat a quarter of a watermelon in its entirety.  The crowd was roaring with laughter.

The new modified tractor drag race was awesome.  Keith Mason, a graduate of Blackstone Valley Tech, from Porta Timing Systems in Uxbridge volunteered his time to set up the course and brought with him a drag race light tree to start the race and track their times.  It was a great effect and made the event that much more exciting.  Who knew tractors could go that fast.  Great job guys!

All in all, the day was a great success and a tribute to the sponsors and residence who donated to help pay for it.  This event is completely paid for by donations so we thank all of you for your continued support. 

The Upton Men’s Club would like to recognize this years’ event sponsors for their generous donations: 

Metrowest Oral; Surgical Associates, West Hill Properties, Dunkin Donuts, Unibank, Atlas Pyrovisions, and Representative George Peterson.

We would also like to thank the Upton Police, the Upton Fire/EMS, and the Department of Public Works for all of their support during this event.  They provided important supplies and kept everyone safe and for that we are extremely grateful.  

Finally, we would like to thank the members of the Blackstone Valley Tech School Committee for their continued support and approval to use the BVT grounds for this event.

  The Upton Men’s Club