‘American Made’ Oak Ridge Boys draws large crowd to celebrate the 4th of July

The famous harmonies of the Oak Ridge Boys drew a large crowd to the annual Fourth of July celebration at Palmetto’s Sutton Park with a day that included more music, numerous food vendors, activities for children and culminated with an evening of spectacular fireworks.

Cindy Weagley, 63, and her husband, Dan, got their seats a few hours before the legendary country and gospel quartet took the stage.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the Oak Ridge Boys. They’re one of the reasons we came,” Weagley said.

It wasn’t their first time attending Sutton Park’s annual Fourth of July celebration, but they liked it better than the previous years, she said.

“I have perused all the food vendors, but I went with shaved ice because it’s so hot,” Weagley said.

Donna Andrews sat under the trees along the perimeter of Sutton Park for the earlier musical performances, she said.

“Then it quit raining, so we thought we’d get closer,” Andrews said.

A major Oak Ridge Boys fan, she traveled from Tampa just to seem them perform live. Like many fans, she was looking forward to hearing them belt out their greatest hits, especially “Elvira.”

Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant was among those excited to watch the Oak Ridge Boys take the stage.

“I’m a big fan,” Bryant said moments after taking the stage for the pledge of allegiance and the singing of the national anthem. “I’ve even got a couple of their CDs in my car.”

Tina Polehna, 51, stood in the back, swaying to the music as she enjoyed a funnel cake.

“I’m being bad,” she said smiling.

Since she had the day off and loves concerts, she decided to come enjoy the festival as she has other years.

“Everybody’s being happy. That’s such a nice thing,” Polehna said. “I used to stay home, but at Sutton Park there’s never been a problem.”

And according to Palmetto Police Chief Scott Tyler, there had been no major incidents reported all afternoon, he said just as the headlining crooners took the stage.

While her significant other was back in Michigan taking care of his sick mother, Polehna had plans to head back to their boat docked at Regatta Point and watch the fireworks from there — together with her other half on Facetime.

“It’s beautiful. You get to see at least eight different sets of fireworks,” Polehna said.

The celebration drew to a close at 9 p.m., just in time for people to enjoy a fireworks display over the Manatee River.

Crowds lines both sides of the river, especially along the Bradenton Riverwalk. The crowds anxiously awaited the fireworks as a thunderstorm rumbled nearby.

Some questioned whether it was distant fireworks or thunder they had heard and laughed when they discovered it was both.

“Mother Nature is putting on a show for us,” some shouted.

This story was originally published July 4, 2017 at 10:17 PM with the headline "‘American Made’ Oak Ridge Boys draws large crowd to celebrate the 4th of July."