(Photo by Bruce Wunderlich) Exploding fireworks illuminate the scene Saturday evening as festival participants gather in observation of the night’s finale.

The 49th annual Sternwheel Festival wrapped up Sunday in downtown Marietta and organizers say it was another successful weekend.

“We had an absolutely fabulous weekend with no issues,” Firework Chairman Dennis Blauser said.

Blauser said although Saturday started off a little wet with rain moving through the valley that caused some of the musical acts to cancel, the cooler weather actually helped the firework show Saturday night.

“It gives the shells more loft and height,” Blauser said. “We also had nautical shells that make it appear like fire is dancing on top of the water.”

He said the rain and cooler weather didn’t stop the crowds from coming out for the show.

(Photo by Douglass Huxley) People stop to admire a 1960s Mustang Sunday on Second Street in Marietta during the car show at the 49th annual Sternwheel Festival.

“The crowd was as good as it has ever been,” Blauser said. “There were a lot of claps and cheers from people after they finished.”

He said Sunday’s events included a Sunrise Service on the river and the annual car show along Second Street.

“There was a large crowd for one of the biggest car shows in the area,” Blauser said. “We had 300-400 participants and there were some high quality cars to look at.”

He said the organization has already begun planning for next year’s event that will mark the 50th anniversary of the Sternwheel Festival, and the 250th of the creation of the United States.

“We’re going to make major improvements to the festival,” Blauser said.

(Photo by Art Smith) The Sternwheel Festival Car show that filled Second Street and Butler Street.

He said fundraising will play a large part in making that happen.

“Give a lot and give often,” Blauser said. “It’s the support of the community that allows us to put this event on every year. We also have the Steelwheeler Ball coming up in March at the Lafayette Hotel people can attend.”

For more information on the ball, fundraising and everything Sternwheel Festival, visit their website at: sternwheel.org.

(Photo by Art Smith) The Sternwheel Festival Car show that filled Second Street and Butler Street.

(Photo by Art Smith) The Sternwheel Festival Car show that filled Second Street and Butler Street.

(Photo by Douglass Huxley) Big cars, little cars, remote control cars and even a mythical movie car were on display Sunday during the 49th annual Sternwheel Festival’s car show.

(Photo by Douglass Huxley) People walk along Second Street Sunday to check out cars of almost every make, model and year during the 49th annual Sternwheel Festival.

(Photo by Douglass Huxley) Students sell lemonade for the Marietta Athletics Booster Sunday during the 49th annual Sternwheel Festival.

(Photo by Art Smith) Sternwheelers head up river before Sunday's Races.

(Photo by Douglass Huxley) People gather along the levee in Marietta Sunday during the 49th annual Sternwheel Festival.

(Photo by Art Smith) Sternwheelers head up river before Sunday's Races.