Crowd gathers at Memorial Park for Appleton fireworks

APPLETON (WLUK) -- At Memorial Park in Appleton, crowds are gathering on a pleasant night for fireworks.

Some people arrived hours ago, grabbing their spot to watch a well-lit sky.

The volunteers who work the decades-old event year after year, are one key element in making the event a success.

"We've been doing the fireworks for about 80 years now, the Jaycees, at least, so it's a great event to have," said Amber Szekeres of Appleton area Jaycees.

It takes months of organization throughout the year and about 60 volunteers the day of.

They have to make sure tents are up, the stage set, the drinks are cool and the food is hot.

"Oh, it's an all day thing. So we started at about 9:00 and we'll be done right around 2:00 am," said Colleen Jamrock of Appleton area Jaycees.

The Jaycees use the proceeds to pay for their charitable work later in the year.

"It's rewarding," Jamrock said.

Music is the second element people have come to know and love at the fireworks yearly.

"It's kind of an entertainment factor where people just enjoy their time and have a lot of fun. It's a way to get them pumped up for the actual main event," said Caitlin Sweeney, drummer of Eminence.

"It's super fun because everybody who comes here knows what to expect and is always super interactive, so it's a great crowd," said Molly McCarthey, lead guitarist of Eminence.

This is the third year Eminence has opened for Boogie and The Yo Yoz.

The band says it's a lot of fun and helps get their name out there.

"A lot of people around town actually recognize us from this gig," McCarthey said.

And the final element, what would the event be without the fireworks themselves?

"We switch it up every year. Try to give the crowd a fresh look, new items," said Steve Norby of Spielbauer Fireworks.

Norby is responsible for what the crowd will see.

"Takes a lot of work. It's a year round job for me. So, like, this show, I put together in December of last year," he said.

But he says the work is worth it, to put on a show for America's Independence Day.

"It's just tradition, America's history!" Norby said.

The fireworks start once the sky is completely dark.