Fireworks cap Fort Carson 'End of Summer Roundup'

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- There may have been a delay, but the show still went on at the End of Summer Roundup at Iron Horse Park, Aug. 31.

"I've been praying that the rain would go away," said Debbie McMillan. "This is really great. I was so excited to come here and see the fireworks."

The event, originally planned as a Fourth of July celebration July 3, was rescheduled because of firework bans after wildfires ravaged parts of Black Forest and the Royal Gorge.

This year's event was threatened with stormy weather, and during the hour-long delay, the bounce houses and bungee trampoline were taken down, and the band stopped playing as a precaution due to lightning.

But once the weather cleared, the park filled. Lines stretched for Old West photographs, balloon animals and an opportunity to ride a mechanical bull, motorized football helmet or toilet.

Cheyenne Mountain Shooting Complex set up a small firing range where children could shoot at dinosaurs, bears and other animal targets. Food vendors offered a variety of foods, and sponsor companies held drawings for prizes and giveaways.

"It looks like there's a lot of stuff to do," said Brittany Jones, who attended the event with her husband, an Airman from the U.S. Air Force Academy, and her children. "I'm surprised they didn't close up because of the rain. I'm glad (they didn't) since we drove 30 minutes to get here."

The annual event is no stranger to bad weather, but goes on regardless.

"We have never canceled," said Ann Edinger, chief of events and entertainment, Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.

Throughout the day, about 3,000 people attended, only about a third of the attendance in past years, she said. In spite of the lower attendance, Edinger said she was pleased.

"I was very pleasantly surprised at the number of people who came back … when we got things back up and running and the weather cleared," she said. "I think, looking around, most people

had a great time."