After two decades, the annual Rhythm & Booms fireworks display is passing from its founder, businessman and philanthropist Terry Kelly, to another organization, Madison Festivals, Inc.
That organization is run by the experienced and terrific Rita Kelliher. They'll do a great job with a downsized event.
But we need to take a moment to thank Terry Kelly and his family. They poured countless volunteer hours and a good deal of their own money into an event that was a highlight of summer for a lot of people. It was Independence Day. It was fireworks. It was music and hotdogs. It was picnics. It contributed funds to children's charities. It was fun.
It also wasn't without its problems and its detractors. But look, any event that draws a couple hundred thousand people or more to one spot on one day is going to cause some turbulence. Ever been to a UW football game?
Overall, Rhythm & Booms was a great event for Madison and it was something to be really proud of. And it happened only because of the vision and determination of one guy and his family.
Thank you, Terry.