Independence Day fireworks return to Atlanta after slight pause from the weather

A little weather hiccup couldn’t stop thousands of people from flocking to Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park for the first City of Atlanta fireworks display in two years.

Just as the doors to “Look Up Atlanta” were starting to open at 5 p.m., a thunderstorm popped up right over downtown Atlanta, causing the park to be momentarily evacuated. A short time later, the storm passed and the festivities were able to continue on as normal.

Adrianna Gresham is one of many who told Channel 2′s Larry Spruill how excited she was to have the huge show back for a 25th year.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Like many events, the show had to be scaled back during the pandemic, and wasn’t held at all in 2021.

“It really is, the first time, they had since the pandemic. It’s been years,” Gresham said.

Event staff members say because it was the first time in so long, they wanted the event to be bigger than ever.

For the thousands of guests, that means more music, more events and more fun.

“After two years of being shut off from everything, I just wanted to enjoy Atlanta one more time and enjoy this,” Elena Lynch said.

TRENDING STORIES:

• Several hurt after man crashes through Paulding County gas station, shoots self, deputies say

• Ga. deputy saves 2 children from drowning in pool

• Atlanta Humane Society takes in dozens more beagles rescued from animal testing facility

After much anticipation, the loudest reason everyone came to the park: a massive fireworks show lighting up the sky.

Event planners said this year’s show is a nod to the the 1996 Olympics that were held in Atlanta which is big reason they wanted to hold the event in Centennial Olympic Park.

The show couldn’t leave out the Peach State, either. It kicked off with fireworks timed to Ray Charles’ “Georgia On My Mind.”

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]