Waltz Golf Farm ready for another round of fireworks
GIMP
Waltz Golf Farm ready for another round of fireworks
By: Mischa Aaron Arnosky , Staff writer
SF Reporter+
What started out as a one-time anniversary display 11 years ago has
turned
into a local fireworks staple in Limerick.
Waltz Golf Farm is hosting its 11th annual fireworks display Monday at
10
p.m. Media representative Lisa Waltz said the event is a thank you to
the
community for keeping the golf farm in business.
"We had a show 11 years ago to celebrate our 30th anniversary," Waltz
said.
"From that time on, people kept asking, 'So are you gonna do it this
year?'
and we've been doing it ever since."
Waltz, who lives in Los Angeles and makes the trip to Limerick to
promote
the event, said the event has become a "big deal" and estimated that
thousands of people came to the golf farm last year to see the show and
about another 1,000 watched from a distance.
This year Zambelli Fireworks Internationale will provide the fireworks.
The
company out of New Castle is the "Coca-Cola" of fireworks companies,
according to Waltz.
"It's not just aerial," co-owner Bill Waltz said. "This year there will
be a
lot of low stuff, too."
Waltz said the low-flying fireworks are something of a bonus to the
people
who watch from the golf farm rather than from a distance.
The fireworks aspect of the night is just the finale. According to
Waltz,
there will be specialty foods (Auntie Anne's pretzels and funnel cake),
kiddie rides, water wars and live music from 7 to 10 p.m. courtesy of
local
classic rock band Sudden Impact.
"The crowd starts to build gradually from 6:30 to 7," Waltz said, "and
then
around 9 ... it's like Woodstock. It's really exciting and powerful and
we
really like it."
Before the fireworks start, Waltz said it is important to have everyone
sing
"God Bless America." Waltz said last year the golf farm had Lauren Hart
(of
Philadelphia Flyers' fame) sing the song to kick off the fireworks -
and to
celebrate the golf farm's 40th anniversary.
This year the event is less stressful to Lisa Waltz, but she said she
will
start singing the song by herself.
"Last year we were so overwhelmed by the event," Waltz said. "It's
kinder
and gentler this year. I'm trying to make everyone sing, though - if
everyone drowns me out, that would be better."
Waltz said most people sing out of embarrassment for her or pity.
The event is free, as is parking at Limerick Fire Co. A donation is
suggested.
"The event caps up and really is the pinnacle of the summer," Lisa
Waltz
said.