Thousands enjoy antics of 'Ozzy', colorful show in Shamokin sky
By Andy Heintzelman , and Rob Wheary 07/07/2003
News-Item staff

SHAMOKIN — As expected, “Ozzy” was a little crazy.

And so was the colorful, fireball finale to the annual Shamokin fireworks Saturday night. Believer, an Ozzy Osbourne tribute band from New England, and the 17-minute fireworks show capped off a two-day celebration that had Shamokin rockin’ for the Independence Day weekend.

Billed as “Pennsylvania’s Most Explosive Show,” the second annual Rock the Block music festival has become one of the primary fund-raisers for the fireworks. It brings a young generation of hard-rock music fans to town — complete with plenty of tatoos and piercings — but organizers were pleased again.

“It has been a great crowd and a well-behaved crowd at that,” organizer Glenn F. Knarr said toward the conclusion of Saturday night’s activities at Community Park, a roped off stretch of city blocks and park grounds at Third and Arch streets. “Everyone has been pleased and the shows were running on time and without a hitch.”

David Chirico, bass player for Believer, was impressed with the family feel to the event. He took in the sights and sounds of the festival, which featured plenty of food, a “fast and furious” car show, bungee trampoline, rock climbing wall and more, before his band took the stage at 9:30 p.m. “It’s great that Rock the Block has been made safe enough that people can bring their children here,” he said. “For myself and our drummer, it’s the first chance that our little ones get to see us play live; playing in clubs and bars, that can’t happen, so it is a real special night.”

He also noted central Pennsylvania’s reputation for great bands. “It’s great that we can be a part of a showcase with them and that people have a chance to hear this music,” Chirico said. Knarr said the appeal to youth is not an accident. “The age thing is very special because there are a lot of teenagers here today and a lot of them have never had a chance to hear Believer or Spinebelt live because of being under 21,” he said. “So, Rock the Block is going to open up a lot of doors to new fans.”

Except for nationally known Believer, the other 14 bands and one DJ that were part of the two-day Rock the Block festival played for free, Knarr stressed, as part of the effort to help the fireworks. While there were a few salty lyrics, most of the bands offered appreciative words on having been invited and for those who came to hear them and support the fireworks. Having a festival on fireworks day to boost fund-raising actually began in 2001 with Freedom Fest. Last year, Rock the Block was launched.

After taking in about $5,000 in 2002, early figures showed this year’s return would be just over $6,000, Knarr said. He estimated that 1,400 to 1,500 people entered the gates throughout Saturday, not counting those under 12, who were admitted free. Tickets were $10 ($8 in advance), up from last year in an effort to raise more money, “We’re extremely pleased with everything,” Knarr said. “I want to note the cooperation from the government entities and the police, too. They have been very accommodating.”

Fireworks fun
The year-to-year struggle by Citizens’ Fireworks Inc. (CFI) to pay for the annual fireworks show always leaves people wondering exactly what they’ll see in the sky above the Glen Burn culm bank come 10 p.m. on the Saturday closest to the Fourth.

This year, CFI took a different approach, waiting as long as it could to gauge the pre-show fund-raising effort before determining exactly how much it would spend on this year’s show. The goal was to cut down on the bill that it carries from year to year to pay FireArt, of Clearfield, for the display.

The result this year was a bit shorter show (last year’s was about 23 minutes), but still an exciting one.
After a slow start, the “shooters” began to launch larger shells high into the sky above the city. New designs were seen, including groups of fizzling gold fireworks that seemed to draw more “oohs” and “aahs” than most.
And then came the finale that has helped Shamokin gain its widely known reputation for a great fireworks show. There was a rapid succession of “flights” (multiple shells) going off much lower to the ground, and then a number of largre shells that burst above the flights and seemed to cover the entire sky above the city. Dozens of bursts and accompanying booms went on for several minutes.

As is often the case, the finale included the detonation of several huge explosions that light the city. This year, four large and two smaller “fire cannons” turned darkness to daylight with their massive blasts. For those who can look up and see the launch area, it appears as if the mountainside is on fire and something has gone wrong, but that’s not the case.

Glenn A. Knarr, president of CFI, said the explosions are similar to the special effects used in movies. The “shooters” are about 20 yards away from the smaller blasts and about 100 yards from the larger fireballs. While the blasts temporarily suck the air out of the launch area and there’s plenty of heat, the shooters are prepared for the conditions, he said.

The family affair of the fireworks weekend in Shamokin is evident through the Knarr family. Glenn F. organizes Rock the Block and Glenn A. gets the fireworks show in shape. This year, the elder Knarr’s younger son, Brian, who for years has also helped with the event, was the primary shooter for the fireworks, his first time in charge of a fireworks show. He was recently certified through FireArt.
“He did a great job,” the father said.

Knarr said he will determine the financial standing for the fireworks in the coming weeks. He said Friday’s roadside collections were off, with little traffic on the holiday itself, and Saturday’s efforts were hampered by lack of volunteers. With Rock the Block needing its share of help, CFI could only muster enough workers to man three collection points on the main entrances into the city instead of four. Overall, he was happy with the show for 2003. “Now all we have to do is finish paying for it,” he said. Donations can be sent to Citizens’ Fireworks Inc., P.O. Box 282, Shamokin 17872,

A “complete” day
Bob Witkoski of Shamokin was among the thousands of people who gathered again this year along city streets, in parking lots and for parties in people’s yards throughout town, using the fireworks as a good excuse to get together for some holiday fun. Grocery and convenience stores were bustling with activity, with many customers looking for a cold drink or, what became a rarity by late afternoon — ice.

“The event is very good,” Witkoski said. “Now I’m just waiting for the fireworks to complete the night.” Others were more interested in getting a glimpse of “Ozzy.” In fact, a crowd of about 1,000 people had gathered as Micky Towicz came onto Stage A dressed, acting and talking like Ozzy Osbourne, the veteran rock-n-roller whose career has been renewed in recent years through his wildly popular reality TV show on MTV and his annual Ozz Fest concert.

Towicz, while obviously younger and more fit than the aging Osbourne, seemed to please the crowd with his musical renditions — including the popular “Mr. Crowley” that he sang, and the band cranked out, with great accuracy.

Adding to true Ozzy form with a stuttering, slurred English accent, Towicz’ long hair was wet and shoved back over his forehead; he even had Ozzy’s stiff-kneed, slightly hunched walk. Towicz, who is known to “become” 100 percent Ozzy in the hours leading up to Believer shows, had fun with the crowd, too, including, in Ozzy tradition, blasting them with a bucket of water.

Believer played for about a half-hour before the fireworks and another 45 minutes afterward to wrap up Rock the Block and, undoubtedly, the busiest day each year in Shamokin.

©The News Item 2003