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“Celebrate Huntsville” Firework Show 7.4.2011 HUNTSVILLE, Alabama– Bridge Street Town Centre and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center partnered up to host dual fireworks shows at dusk on the Fourth of July. (The Huntsville Times/ Amethyst Holmes) Watch video

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — The simultaneous fireworks shows planned for the Fourth of July at Bridge Street Town Centre and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center made for less of a duel and more of a one-man show.

The pyrotechnics at the Space Center failed to fire on time, leaving thousands straining to see the show going on across Interstate 565. Those watching at Bridge Street said they didn’t pay attention to the Space Center shortly after the show began.

“You could see it, but it wasn’t any good,” said Anastacia Scott, who watched the show with three friends from a spot of grass off Eagle Drive across the street from the outdoor shopping center.

Only a few fireworks lit up the sky surrounding the Saturn V at 9 p.m., but around 10:30 p.m., the sky was a glorious shade of red, white and blue as the show finally lifted off. While the parking lot was empty, cars pulled over along Research Park Boulevard and I-565 to enjoy the late show.

Pyro Shows Inc., a Tennessee company hired to provided the show, apologized for the issues via a statement from Space & Rocket Center spokesman Tim Hall.

“The Space Center also regrets what occurred and is also disappointed,” Hall said in an email. “We want to thank everyone who came out to support this event.”

The show at Bridge Street went off without any problems, making for some happy spectators.

Last Fourth of July, 3-year-old Mariah Koger hid behind her mother because the fireworks were so loud, but she promised this year would be different.

“I love fireworks,” she said. “Last year, I was a little scared, but not this year.”

Koger and her mom, Tia, packed chairs and enjoyed food from vendors while waiting for the show to begin.

“I like fireworks, and I love Bridge Street because I get a cookie,” she said.

For Scott and her three friends, meeting at Bridge Street is an annual tradition.

“This is our usual spot,” said Scott’s friend, Shari Ford.

The friends showed up shortly before 7 p.m., two hours before the fireworks started. This year, the ladies were most excited about the partnership between Bridge Street and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.

“It’s going to be pure awesomeness,” said Anastacia Scott before the show. Afterward, “It was definitely pure awesomeness.”

Scott said after the first couple of minutes of the 20-minute show, she quit trying to watch the Space Center’s show.

“This one was way better,” she said. “My favorite was the finale.”

Katie and Isabel Folgmann chose to watch fireworks at Bridge Street because their parents opted for a date night at the Point Mallard Spirit of America festival.

Katie, 10, said her favorite colors were pink and green and she hoped to see fireworks with those colors. Isabel, 8, wanted to see purple and green fireworks. Both girls got their wish as the firework montage featured their favorite colors.

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center ran out of parking passes to watch its show, and Bridge Street parking was packed with spectators – somewhere between 30,000 to 40,000 was the estimate, said Rochelle Allgood, property manager at Bridge Street.

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