Fireworks Light Up The Sky Above The Biltmore Hotel
CORAL GABLES (CBS4) -- Thousands of people packed the golf course at the historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables Thursday night for a 4th of July fireworks spectacular.
The 20-minute show set to popular patriotic tunes had adults and kids gazing upwards with their eyes open and jaws dropped.
"This is the most I've ever seen in my whole life," Albert Naon said. "It's my first time out here. It was really, really good."
"There were tons of fireworks going everywhere," Braden Lamar told CBS 4's Lauren Pastrana after the show. "It was just awesome."
Halfway through the show, as the music roared and the explosions boomed, the heavens parted.
Rain sent people running for cover, while others embraced the weather, not letting it dampen their spirit.
"The rain added to the effect. It really did," Naon said.
Still soaked, Jorge Ruiz-Calderon said it was worth it.
"We got wet. We loved it. It was awesome," Ruiz-Calderon said. "Just loved it completely."
Set-up for the event took hours, with people arriving early to get the best seats on the golf course.
Bruce Carlson and his family reserved an entire section right in front for their blankets, lawn chairs and coolers.
"You got the explosions right here. You look up and you get the fireworks explode. Everything comes trickling down," Carlson said. "It's the greatest. I mean, what else do you want?!"
The Greater Miami Symphonic Band got the night started with a free concert and CBS 4's Rhiannon Ally served as the emcee.
While the fireworks display was no-doubt the highlight of the night, no one forgot the significance of the holiday being celebrated.
"It's patriotic," Gloriana Diaz said. "This is why we live in this country and have the freedoms that we have. I'm so thankful for that. That's why we're here today."
This was the second year the fireworks were back at the Biltmore.
The show took a hiatus for several years because of budget cuts, but was made possible again thanks to corporate sponsors.
