LIGHTS AT THE LAKE

Pine Haven Volunteer Fire Department again threw a great family party with thousands in attendance Saturday night. People were heard laughing with their children, friends and neighbors as they settled into a night show of bright fireworks bursting overhead, setting camp chairs around the water's edge and in pickup beds.

The waters of Keyhole were alight with running lights from the many boats sitting around an open area directly beneath the airspace of the fireworks as well, all in wait for the main attraction to begin.

As the professional pyrotechnicians began the show, a cacophony of thunder could be heard dancing on the water as each blast sent color into the sky.

The pyrotechnicians putting together the 280 incendiaries, led by Fred Neugebauer, have been working with the town's fire department annually for around two decades. According to Neugebauer, this team of volunteers set the displays each year: "There are people here who have worked with explosives for a lot of years in the coal mines and just enjoy it."

A total of 18 firefighters from Pine Haven were on hand to help the event run smoothly, along with four from Moorcroft.

After visiting with Neugebauer and others in the light of day, County Commissioner Bob Latham, one of four firemen from Sundance who volunteered to assist, along with the other firemen and women, started their trucks and donned their gear in preparation to protect everyone concerned as night overcame the landscape and the countdown to the main event commenced.

Fireworks over Keyhole is the largest annual fundraising event for Pine Haven's fire department.