Khila Frett said she came to Flavet Field Tuesday to see “Gators” fireworks.
The 5-year-old twirled a small American flag as she sat on a blanket with her mom, Thalia, 29.
Thousands packed picnics, Frisbees, footballs and blankets for a sunny afternoon on Flavet Field, where the UF College of Journalism and Communications hosted the Fanfares and Fireworks event. It has been a Gainesville tradition for about 15 years, said Randy Wright, executive director of the college’s division of multimedia properties.
Also contributing to the event’s $30,000 price tag were Gainesville Regional Utilities, the City of Gainesville, Florida Credit Union and Plum Creek, Wright said.
The event was canceled several times in recent years due to lack of funding, which made the large turnout even more worthwhile, Wright said.
“It far exceeded our expectations,” Wright said. “Mission accomplished.”
Event-goers listened to live music from the band shell stage, ate funnel cakes and donated blood.
By 8 p.m., Flavet Field was covered in red, white and blue T-shirts, blankets and decorations.
Amber Monk, 16, sported a red bandana tied around her head and an America-themed T-shirt she found at Goodwill.
She and her sister, Ashley Monk, 17, have been coming to the July 3 event since they were kids.
“It’s always a good time,” said Ashley Monk, who will be a freshman at Florida State University in the fall.
On the periphery of Flavet Field sat Howard and Janet Plumley. She had her feet kicked up in a foldable chair, reading science fiction. He was sipping lemonade.
Howard Plumley, 64, who has worked at UF for 30 years, said the couple has been to the event at least 12 times.
“It’s one of the best things we do for the community,” he said with a smile.
It seemed more families than students took over Flavet Field this year.
Chris Stewart, a 21-year-old aerospace engineering senior, said he was surprised to see more Gainesville residents and families than students attend the free event.
“The fireworks were cool and all, but the best part was the band playing throughout,” Stewart said. “They even synced the music with the fireworks.”
People began waving hissing cans of bug spray as the sun started to sink behind the trees. Paper fans cooled the damp faces of mothers cradling sleepy children.
At around 9:40 p.m., a 15-minute firework show began bursting color into the night sky.
Luckily for 5-year-old Khila, the display’s finale ended with an orange and blue burst.
