The heavy rain had fallen for much of the afternoon, leaving puddles on every street and turning areas of greenery into slippery mud baths.
But people would not be deterred. Not on November 5th.
The weather may not have played ball for much of the day, but the cool, brisk evening failed to keep families, friends and couples away as hundreds descended on Sefton Park for the annual Bonfire Night fireworks display.
The event organised by Liverpool City Council, in conjunction with Heart North West for the second year running, has become a staple tradition for the people of Liverpool – particularly those hailing from the South of our fair city.
And the celebrations, held on the park’s Review Field, were as magical as ever.
Sky rockets, Catherine wheels, flying fish rockets and crosettes, to name but a few, filled the air during the 20 minute long spectacle as the crowds oooh-ed and aaah-ed at the dazzling lightshow overhead.
For those of a peckish persuasion, there was food available from a number of stalls on the pathway near to the display’s location, whilst street vendors offered an array of pulsating wands and handheld lights for children who managed to persuade their parents into parting with their cash.
Like previous years, the fireworks themselves were accompanied by a musical playlist, with chart hits such as Mark Ronson’s and Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk” and Sam Smith’s “Writing’s on the Wall” melded together with classic numbers like Nat King Cole’s “When I Fall in Love”.
The final number was left to Queen, whose “The Show Must Go On” number brought about the show’s grand finale – an almost and ironically apt song to choose for an ending to the event.
Just like that, the display was over. The crowd cheered. Then silence fell.
And, almost as fleeting as a firework exploding in the night sky, the crowds dispersed into the dark – their spirits lifted from the gloom of an early November evening.
Let’s do it again next year, Sefton Park.
Tom Power 