SKYFIRE went off with a bang last night as more than 130,000 people gathered on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin to see 1000kg of pyrotechnics go up in smoke. People gathered hours in advance of the 20-minute fireworks show to gain the best vantage points for the annual event.
Julie-Anne McIntosh, of Queanbeyan, brought her partner, their two children and some friends to the banks of the lake to watch the spectacle.
The family has made the event a tradition for the past five years. They camped out from about 6pm, staking their place at the walkway behind the High Court.
The group ate a picnic tea and waved glow-sticks in anticipation of the main event.
''The girls and I come every year just for the whole atmosphere and the girls love the fireworks,'' MsMcIntosh said.
Chartae Kay was among 40 people from Bungendore dressed in pirate regalia as part of a different annual tradition. The group has also been going to the event for the past five years and picks a theme for each year's show. Aside from their coolers and 35 large pizzas to help them through the night, the group proudly displayed a Bungendore sign and set up a plank on the water's edge.
Craig Stevens, who owns a local bus company, organises the group each year. Ms Kay said Mr Stevens insisted on making the occasion special for the group and put most of the effort into the trip.''It was a thank you for all the people who helped after my wife's car accident,'' Mr Stevens said. Ms Kay said the planning for next year's event would have begun on the bus ride home from last night's event.
For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times.
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