BESSEMER — Bessemer Blast 2014 came to a close Friday night with a spectacular “Thunder on the Mountain” fireworks show that lasted about 40 minutes and attracted quite the crowd.
Before the fireworks display, Marty’s Goldenaires Senior Drum and Bugle Corps held a performance at Massie Field.
Hundreds, if not thousands, of people were packed elbow-to-elbow along Sophie Street and the rest of the route to watch the parade, which featured a number of floats, marching bands and other attractions that ran up and down the streets of Bessemer.
The parade attracted people from far off places, with many vehicles parked in the area displaying license plates from all across the country, including Minnesota, Louisiana and Florida.
Chairs were set up many hours prior to the 7 p.m. start to insure the best seat available.
The eight-day long Bessemer Blast celebration included a variety of activities such as a craft and vendor day, a recital of the Declaration of Independence and even a few lumberjack shows.
Once again, the annual celebration included a 50/50 raffle with the last float of the parade announcing the winning ticket number.
The grand prize for the 50/50 raffle was $28,338, which surpassed last year’s of $25,425.
The winning number was ticket 1209.