Every year, the City of Ames holds a fireworks celebration that brings together the community and families from across the country.

This year was no exception with thousands in attendance across the span of University Boulevard.

“This year we brought the whole family,” said Jerry Skahill, one Ames resident whose entire extended family made the trip to Ames from as far away as Wisconsin.

Skahill recounted the longtime family tradition, saying he couldn’t remember just how many years his family had come to see the Ames fireworks show.

“It has been, well, forever,” Skahill said.

Skahill was just one of many families who have made the Ames fireworks show a tradition.

Ames resident Gentry Collins said he had been coming to the show for as long as his eldest of three daughters had been alive.

“We have done it every year I’ve been around, and I’m ten years old,” said Collins’ daughter Grace.

Collins explained the tradition has been a special yearly tradition for them, but said this year was no different than others.

Pam Staff, another Ames resident, had different feelings about this year’s Fourth of July.

“It has been a divisive year and this celebration really brings everyone together,” Staff said. “Our family comes together every year and I am thankful for that.”

Staff said she was very thankful for everything Ames does.

“Every year I see things about how Ames has the best tap water or how we are the best place to retire, and the city works so hard planning these events,” Staff said. “I am just so grateful.”

After the sulfur and smoke cleared the air and the fireworks were over, people started leaving. That is, except for a few cars.

One such car was occupied by Ames residents Brenda and Keith Kutz, who had come to the fireworks show for over 30 years.

“[The fireworks] were fine,” Mr. Kutz said. “Really good timing and variety.”

Others who stayed after the show were pleased as well.

“it’s a great show,” Beth Johnson who was with her husband at the fireworks for the 40th year. “This year it was less rowdy; everyone behaved themselves. We have come here for so long and we love it.

“It’s a tradition we will continue,” she said.

Iowa State University Chief of Police Michael Newton said he had to educate some individuals who were unaware of the laws.

“With this new fireworks laws a lot of people don’t realize that [fireworks] are prohibited on campus and illegal in Ames so we’ve been trying to educate people,” Newton said

Law enforcement did not end up confiscating any of the personal fireworks that could have carried a $250 fine but did warn people to not light them off.

“A lot of the people here tonight were not aware so we had to educate them, because, especially in big parking lots like this, they are gonna cause a lot of damage,” Newton said.

Skahill said he was not pleased with the new laws.

“It’s ridiculous that the state made them legal to buy while the city keeps them illegal to fire,” he said.

Editor’s note: This story originally misidentified Iowa State University Chief of Police Michael Newton as Ames Chief of Police. Additionally, the article made a statement that Michael Newton had to “break up a lot of rowdy individuals himself.” In reality, Newton did not break up any individuals, rather, he and the other police informed people of the laws. The Daily regrets this error.