Fireworks on the Arthur Ravenel Bridge

Unfortunately I had to work so I could not get downtown in time to get a good spot to see the fireworks in person last night. I watched the entire celebration on television, but at the end when the bridge was lit I hopped in the car and drove about 3 minutes away to the north ashley river bridge. I pulled over where there about 500 other cars parked and ran down to the water's edge to see it in person lit up. It was beautiful. Before the traffic got too bad with people leaving I hopped in my car again and drover over the north bridge where from the center, you have a clear view of the new Arthur Ravenel Bridge. It was stunning. To get back hom, becasue the traffic was rerouted, I could not turn around and go back over the north bride. I went to azalea drive, hit leeds and got on 526 . Again to my left I had the perfect view of the diamond towers lit up again! Pictures of fireworks included.

Diamond Gordon might have had the best seat in the house on top of her uncle's shoulders at the Maritime Center for the long-anticipated fireworks show that lit Thursday's night sky over the new Cooper River bridge.

"It's so pretty," said 6-year-old Diamond.

The $250,000 fireworks show opened with simultaneous displays being shot into the sky on each side of the massive cable-stayed bridge's towers. A matching third display was set off from between the towers.

Tens of thousands of people watched as the fireworks were launched after 9:30 p.m. from four barges in the Charleston Harbor and at points along the Arthur Ravenel Jr.Bridge that spans Charleston to Mount Pleasant.

"It's the most amazing show I have ever seen," said Heyward Adams III of Charleston. "It makes me proud to live here. It's a big step for Charleston."

The crowd that extended across the waterfront broke out in cheers before the show started. A local radio station led a 10-second countdown to the first big bangs.

The reaction continued at Waterfront Park, where people packed in along the pier and spilled onto the grass. When the fireworks began to explode, many cried, "That's so cool!"

"It's a fitting ending and a very good beginning," said Cathe Hansen of Folly Beach. She arrived before 9 p.m. and found a parking spot behind Millennium Music and walked to the Maritime Center.

The fireworks were part of a weeklong celebration leading up to Saturday's grand opening of the new $632 million bridge. Zambelli Fireworks Internationale filled 20,000 pounds of explosives with 60,000 fireworks.

"It's the perfect venue," George Zambelli Jr. said. "The backdrop is amazing." Charleston's fireworks display rivaled the Kentucky Derby's and was larger in some ways than the Millennium Celebration at the Eiffel Tower, Zambelli said. The display at the Eiffel Tower shot up 750 feet in the air versus the more than 3,000-foot vertical display here.

The display's effects included geometric sequences, with lights streaming from the bridge and rising from the water. Concussions from the blasts thundered across the peninsula.

Tim Strickland of Charleston won The Post and Courier contest to ignite the fireworks.

"When I pressed the button, all of the public was with me, and it made it electrifying," he said. "It was one of the most memorable things I've ever done in my life. It touches deep down in your heart to have been a part of this."

Ruby Williams of West Ashley lit the bridge's 37,000 watts by cell phone at 10:05 p.m. "It went wonderfully," said Williams, who had her nails manicured for the memorable occasion.

Charleston Harbor was packed with assorted watercraft for the event.

Bill Millner and Chuck Carder and their wives enjoyed sandwiches, shrimp and guacamole on Millner's Boston Whaler, anchored just off Castle Pinckney, with a cool breeze blowing off the water.

"My God, look behind us" Millner said, surveying all the boats docked nearby. "I think this is the prettiest night I've ever seen in Charleston Harbor."

Said Carder, as he looked toward the towers: "The new bridge marks the rebirth of a great harbor. It puts us up there with San Francisco, Hong Kong and Sidney, the most beautiful harbor cities. From a global perspective, this will really put Charleston on the map."

Margaret Bott of Salt Lake City watched the fireworks, but she hadn't planned to. She came to Charleston because her daughter, Natalie Brackens of Charleston, went into labor.

Brackens' daughter, Madalynn, was born at Medical University Hospital on July 5. Bott and Brackens watched with about 250 people from atop the parking garage adjacent to the hospital. "I didn't know anything about the bridge when I came here," Bott said. "This is a big surprise to me."

There was a party for the nearly 50 sponsors of the celebration at the S.C. Aquarium. About 500 guests socialized there in the hours before the show and enjoyed one of the best views of the fireworks display from the dock.

Shaun Flynn, vice president of operations with Metal Trades Inc., and his wife Linda attended the event. "It's amazing," he said. "The bridge is a tribute to the workers who built it. This evening has been remarkable."

Charleston Mayor Joe Riley greeted people at Liberty Square.

"This is a wonderful moment in the community's history," he said. "This is a free opportunity for people to get together. They can pass down their stories as family lore."

At the Maritime Center, people snapped photos of the fireworks, especially with the ubiquitous cell phones.

At the beach adjacent to Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island, thousands of residents had a clear view of the bridge and fireworks. There appeared to be at least as many people present as when the Hunley was raised and pulled alongside the island.

At a yard party on Alexandra Drive in Mount Pleasant, everyone quieted down for the fireworks. Down the street, at another party when the fireworks began, a group of children began singing the "Star-Spangled Banner."

Five-year-old Alex Sanderson of James Island was excited for two reasons. Not only did he get to see fireworks, but he got to go home and play with family from North Carolina when the celebration was over. "We get to see fireworks and play with our cousins," he said.

Dozens of people lined the marsh and boat landing behind the Hobcaw Yacht Club in Mount Pleasant to watch.

"We're part of history" said Laura Hardy, a Charleston area native who now lives in Columbia. "We wouldn't have missed it." One of her sons, 6-year-old Caleb, had fun watching the display. One of the fireworks "looked just like a little cricket," he said.

Rick Stein of Mount Pleasant was quite impressed: "This is really something, isn't it?"