MARION – The excitement in the air was palpable as hundreds gathered on Silvershell Beach in Marion for the fireworks that would kick off the Fourth of July weekend on Friday, July 1. 

“Rhys was cheering the whole way here,” said Kasey L’Heaureax from Rochester as she held her son Rhys, a squirming toddler, in her lap. 

“They’re going to go boom,” Rhys chimed in.

Due to the fact that the fireworks were cancelled the past two years due to the pandemic, L’Heaureax said that it would be Rhys first time seeing them.

Her daughter, Josie, who is a few years older, had seen them before.

“I’m so excited,” Josie said, jumping up and down to emphasize her point. 

The beach had become a sea of people by the the Marion Concert Band’s performance at 8 p.m. 

This performance opens the band’s 2022 concert season, where they will hold concerts at the bandstand every week with different themes, such as modern pop music or John Williams. 

The band, under the direction of Tobias Monte, played all-American classics such as “National Emblem March’’ by E. E. Bagley, “Star Spangled Spectacular’’ by George M. Cohan, “American Pageant’’ by Thomas Knox, “God Bless the USA’’ by Lee Greenwood and a salute to the Armed Forces.

After an hour of performances, Monte addressed the eager crowd.

“Now, the fireworks are just moments away,” he said, earning cheers in response. 

He played an overture of “Stars and Stripes Forever,” and soon, fireworks began as the band continue to play through the show of lights. 

The event was made possible by the Marion Fireworks Committee, who worked to raise the money to ensure that the colorful explosions would return to the beach this year. Town Administrator Jay McGrail has said that the committee worked “tirelessly” to secure this year’s funding.