DECATUR - The skies over Crystal Lake Airport were aglow with multicolored star bursts as the community celebrated Independence Day. The celebration, sponsored by the Crystal Lake Fly In Community, took place on July 6.

Organizers of the first annual Crystal Lake Fireworks and Cars show hoped to put on this event every year. Judging from the response by the Decatur community and surrounding area, it is well on its way to making that hope a reality.

An estimated 500-plus spectators turned out to see several vintage and modified cars and experience the sights and sounds of the Fourth of July.

The Decatur Chamber of Commerce sold soft drinks at the event, with all proceeds going to help fund future Chamber events.

Carlos Ortiz entered his classic 1964 Chevy Impala in the exhibition to show off his restoration handy-work. Ortiz put time, money and love into his white, with gold pinstripe, convertible classic beauty. Ortiz’ next restoration project will be a 1958 Chevy Impala. He hopes to bring it back to life soon.

When Raymond Fritz drove his 1941 Willys Coupe through the main gate of Crystal Lake Airport, heads turned. The candy-apple red classic was built by the same company that produced the World War II icon, the Jeep.

“Not very many of these cars were produced,” Fritz said.

Their production was discontinued and the lines geared to military vehicle production. The few examples of the Willys are highly prized among collectors. It is no wonder this rare automobile stole the show. It was the oldest and most-beautifully restored vehicle on the airstrip.

Early in the evening, organizers allowed some of the cars to “open up” on the Crystal Lake runway. Several cars and two motorcycles took advantage of this rare opportunity.

A recent model of the Ford Mustang 5.0 was the fastest of the competitors. It was clocked at a staggering 100-plus miles per hour. The car and driver were a fast blur as they streaked past the crowd. A newer version of the Chevy Camaro also took the runway.

A Mazda Miata, driven by Decatur Mayor Charles Linam - the car actually belonged to his wife, Tasha - stole the race. She afforded Linam the privilege of running her Miata down the temporary drag strip. The car reached just above the take-off speed of a Cessna 150 training aircraft, around 67 miles an hour. The only thing the crowd saw as the Mazda flew by was the smile on the mayor’s face.

Just before the fireworks display, kids had a chance to burn off excess energy by participating in a game called catch the parachute. A cardboard tube propelled by a small charge of black powder was launched a safe distance from the participants. As it ascended, a paper parachute deployed out of the top of the tube. This allowed the device to descend towards the waiting youngsters, who ran to catch the parachute. Winners in different age categories were rewarded with a soft drink from the Decatur Chamber of Commerce.

Then, as the last rays of sunlight disappeared from the sky, the show began. The fireworks display, lasting about 20 minutes, was a spectacular mix of colors and sounds, the loudest of which was the bomb burst which mimicked cannon fire. The oohs and ahs, along with cheers of the spectators, was a testament to the grandeur of this aerial spectacle.

Crystal Lake Fly In Community organizers Kris Shewmake and Mike Trusty, along with Decatur firefighters Danny Miller and Joey Dunham, did an exceptional job of keeping the show moving. This was the group’s first time putting on a display of this magnitude. Their performance equaled or bested professional pyrotechnic groups.

With the success of this year’s event, plans for next year’s Crystal Lake Fireworks and Cars show are already in the works.

News, Pages 12 on 07/17/2013