RVC sky is lit up once again

A beloved tradition returned to Rockville Centre last week, as the village held its annual Fireworks Celebration and Concert for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began.

For decades, residents and visitors from surrounding communities have gathered on the first Saturday after the Fourth of July to celebrate with a fireworks show and a live symphony orchestra performance. The last two shows were canceled due to Covid-19 regulations, but this year, on July 9, the tradition came back strong. Thousands brought lawn chairs, blankets and snacks to watch the show and enjoy an evening with their families, neighbors and friends.

Rockville Centre’s own South Shore Symphony began playing at 7:45. The orchestra, which brought roughly 50 of its 120 musicians for the event, was conducted by Eileen Murphy, and performed everything from pop songs to “Star Wars” music to Broadway tunes to American classics. The music was simulcast on 89.7 FM for those who preferred to watch the fireworks from home.

At around 9:15, the fireworks show, which was staged by Grucci Fireworks, began. For 25 minutes, brilliant colors lit up the sky. The orchestra continued to play during the display, and for about a half-hour afterward.

“It’s another opportunity for the residents to have a special, local event made up of people who live and enjoy coming here,” said South Shore Symphony President Wayne Lipton, a former deputy mayor. “It’s a highlight — a real home event where you could literally walk from most of Rockville Centre to the fireworks if you’d like, and enjoy a nice evening out. It’s something that speaks to the continuity of the village, and to what makes Rockville Centre very unique as a community.”

The fireworks were launched from Lister Field for the first time instead of their usual location, Tighe Field, due to new safety guidelines. Spectators watched the show from Pette and Barasch fields. The event was sponsored by the village and the Rockville Centre Guild for the Arts, a nonprofit organization to which the South Shore Symphony belongs.

“It’s a really nice community event that everybody looks forward to,” Deputy Mayor Kathleen Baxley said, “and a great way to be with your neighbors, celebrate Rockville Centre and our country, and enjoy each other’s company. It’s tradition, and I look forward to it continuing.”

For more about the South Shore Symphony, go to http://www.sssymphony.org or call (516) 766-0555.