Rain Delays Big Show, Thins Crowd at Trenton Fourth of July Fireworks

Trenton officials were expecting a record-setting crowd for Wednesday, but weather conditions caused delays that impacted overall attendance.

Joann Perna, director of , said patrons headed for the hills at about 7:30 p.m. after a thunderstorm threatened to cancel the highly-anticipated event.

"Rain kept some people away and put a bit of a damper on the event," Perna said. "We might have lost a few people because of the rain."

Though some people left following the rains, many returned and stayed for the duration of the event. Between 8,000 and 10,000 people attended the event, which is slightly above average, according to Trenton Police Chief Jim Nardone.

Perna said the timing of the storm could not have been worse for the event. The rains came just as crews were working feverishly to get the fireworks show set up and synchronized to music. The storm knocked out power to Rotary Park almost immediately making it impossible to have a "pyro-musical" powered by the City of Trenton.

Nearby , , saved the day by providing a large gas-powered generator, which provided enough electricity to run the necessary equipment for the fireworks show -- completely choreographed to music.

The fireworks survived the wet weather and were completely unharmed.

The show was delayed a half-hour, but Perna said the show was "well worth waiting for." The show began at about 10:30 p.m.

The Downriver Community Band did not play at the event due to storms that lasted throughout the time the band was scheduled to play. The band was slated to take the stage at 8 p.m.

Perna said there are no plans yet for next year's event.