Family and friends gathered on Weber State University’s campus as dark clouds swirled above. The 43rd Lindquist Pops Concert was held at Weber State University on July 17. The event was meant to consist of a performance by The New American Philharmonic Orchestra and culminate in a grand firework show to end the night.

The Lindquist Pops Concert was first held in 1978 by the Lindquist family and is still carried out by them today. One of the staples of the show is the performance of the piece “1812 Overture” by Tchaikovsky, involving the use of live cannons.

An interview with John Kowalewski, the executive director of marketing at Weber State University, explains how the event is one the public often looks forward to each year.

“…thousands of people from the surrounding area come to campus to take part in the festivities.” Kowalewski said.

But as the event was set to begin, blankets laid out, smiles abound, and an eager crowd, an announcement was made that The New American Philharmonic Orchestra would be unable to perform for the evening. The rain that was speckling the area was too much for the delicate instruments, which would have been damaged had they been used in it.

Sadness filled the space as the orchestra packed up their stands and music, but they were still given applause for their time. Kowalewski spoke on how, in past years, the event had to forgo the fireworks display due to extreme weather conditions such as high winds or other severe weather.

“Those are the two factors that in the past have occasionally caused the concert to go without fireworks,” Kowalewski said.

Even without the Orchestra, music was still played across speakers. Opening with the National anthem and rolling into various classical pieces. It was unknown whether the rain was going to fade or grow and end the other half of the event. But as the “1812” overture reached its peak, cannons booming along in time, the rain had dissipated. Applause fell through the crowd and another loud boom echoed across the sky.

The fireworks had begun, and all in attendance looked to the sky. Those under trees scurried to the tops of hills and open streets see the colors in the night above. Despite the rocky start to the event and the cancellation of the live music, the firework display had taken flight. Then, as the show gave its grand finale, one last round of applause went through the crowd.

The night was not completely done in by weather, and the crowd of thousands were able to once again celebrate the summer with music and fireworks.