SIDNEY - Troy Hughes, of Sidney, made sure America's birthday was loud and bright.

The owner of Little Tornado Towing celebrated his favorite holiday, the 4th of July, with his family and employees - including his wife, daughter, step-daughter and grandchildren - by shooting off over $7,000 worth of fireworks off a flatbed trailer.

"It's a day of happiness for everyone in the family," Hughes said. "It's just something we can all share together. Everyone gets to participate. This is what we like."

Hughes says he's put together a fireworks show, featuring everything from "little booms to big booms," for his neighbors on Dawn Drive the last three years.

"We had us a nice little cookout and then we've been wiring all afternoon," Hughes said. "We got them all wired up. They'll go off in four stages. Hopefully it works out."

Showers delayed the start of Hughes' show, but despite the rain, numerous fireworks could be seen and heard across Sidney at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. According to city code, residents were allowed to shoot off fireworks until 1 a.m. Wednesday to celebrate the country's independence.

The Village of Lodgepole postponed their fireworks display to Wednesday, July 5 at Kasten Ballfield because of the weather. Ogallala delayed the start of the city's display to 10 p.m. Tuesday.