Fireworks had nothing against the light show Mother Nature had in store.

As strong storms traipsed across the area on Monday evening, they also put a damper on two local Independence Day celebrations. Ahoskie and Northampton County on July 4, tributes celebrations which included fireworks, were canceled due to the inclement weather.

According to Northampton County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Judy Collier, the fireworks portion of their Independence Day Celebration will occur at 9:15 p.m. on Friday [July 8] at the Northampton County Cultural and Wellness Center on NC 305 North near Jackson. Should Mother Nature interrupt that effort, the fireworks display will be held at the same time on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Ahoskie officials are currently working to re-schedule their fireworks show. Initially, the Ahoskie fireworks were rescheduled for July 22. Now, town officials may delay the show until early September.

“After discussion with the Mayor and many other individuals it was suggested we hold the fireworks for the next holiday therefore we will hold the 4th of July display until Labor Day weekend,” said Ahoskie Town Manager Tony Hammond. “We will fire them off Friday, September 2 at dusk, which according to the calendar should be 7:35 p.m.”

Excitement over Northampton County’s fireworks were reduced to drizzle, thunder and deflated bounce houses as the storms set in approximately 5 p.m. on Monday.

A large celebration was planned for the evening beginning at 5:30 p.m., including bands, food vendors and rides for children. Three rows of cars filled the Cultural and Wellness Center’s parking lot with occupants hoping the rain and storms would let up, but it wasn’t meant to be.

Collier said it takes two hours to set up the fireworks and the weather radar indicated rain and storms were still on their way at approximately 6:30 p.m. Collier said officials opted out of the celebration’s festivities because she didn’t want anyone hurt.

“I’m very disappointed,” she said. “I know we would have had a huge crowd.”

Collier thoughts then turned positive about the much needed rain.

“Even if we didn’t have fireworks, we were blessed with rain,” she said.