DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — The Fourth of July makes family traditions burn brighter — at least for Lavelle Hunt.
"For the last [few] years, we've been on the lake for the Fourth," Hunt said. "We decided to come out on the lake and watch the fireworks...and catch a glimpse of Fun DMC from the water.
But Hunt was certainly not alone. Boaters motored up and down Lake Decatur. Music lovers listened to live performances. Crowds packed the shaded hills of Nelson Park.
With heat indices in the triple digits in some spots, keeping cool wasn't always easy for those enjoying the festivities or those serving them — even if their service is ice cream.
"The machines put off a lot of heat," said Mister Softee truck owner Terri Chance. "We don't mind the heat. We're used to it."
But all those braving the heat pulled themselves through for one goal: stake a claim to the best seats in the house when the fireworks go off at dusk.
"There's nothing like being able to practically be underneath the fireworks," Hunt said.
