Cars lined Worhten Street and packed adjacent parking lots from Lexington High School up to Grace Chapel evening as crowds poured in and out of the Lion's Club's 55th annual Fourth of July Carnival.

It was Saturday evening, July 2, just a little more than an hour before the fireworks display, considered by many to be the capstone event of the five-day carnival, which also features rides, games, fair food and other attractions.

As darkness descended upon the Center complex, enveloping the giant slide like a Snuggie, lines grew long at concession stands and picnicking people gobbled up sports on the grass fields on either side of the carnival.

Right about 9:30 p.m., came the Independence Day staple they were all waiting for -- fireworks shot skyward in rapid succession, exploding in golds, reds and greens, just above a small patch of trees.