4th on the 1st has a dazzling, smokey finalé

Rain stalled the start of Friday’s First on the Fourth Independence Day celebration sponsored by the Greater Tabor City Tabor of Commerce, but as skies cleared the crowds pour into Civitan Stadium at South Columbus High School, and onto nearby road shoulders for the fireworks finale that ended after 10 p.m. Weather apparently kept smoke from the pyrotechnics lower to the ground than is typical. Entertainers included the Carolinas Community Group, the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard presenting the colors, and Yam Festival Ambassador singing the National Anthem just after the crowd joined in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. (Deuce Niven, TLT)