For all the right reasons, Saturday’s fireworks display at Kelly Automotive Park was a memorable one — particularly after the exhibit had been canceled three months earlier.

At an April 9 meeting, Mayor Tom Donaldson announced the city would not host Independence Day fireworks. Donaldson said the city didn’t have the $11,000 it would take to pay for the show — in fact, it didn’t have the money in 2014 either, and it was irresponsible to go ahead and have the show on credit.

However, it didn’t take long to find commercial sponsors. Peoples TWP, the gas company, put up the $11,000. Pennsylvania American Water Co. added $4,000 to that figure, making the 2015 pyrotechnic display bigger than originally planned.

With the money secure, the mayor managed another feat: retaining the services of Zambelli Fireworks to organize the show on Zambelli’s busiest night of the year. Zambelli of New Castle lives up to its slogan, “First Family of Fireworks.”

And it was a big show — a collaboration of business, municipal government and the BlueSox.

Outside the ballpark, countless thousands of Butler residents and their guests enjoyed the show.

Inside, the paid attendance of 1,428 — the fourth-largest home crowd in BlueSox history — were treated to nine innings of hard-fought baseball as a magnificent clear sky faded from Carolina to deep cobalt blue.

The visiting team, the Jammers from Jamestown, N.Y., jumped out to a 2-0 lead and held on for a 4-1 victory.

After the game, BlueSox and Jammers players alike stretched out on the infield turf in front of their respective dugouts and enjoyed the fireworks with the rest of the crowd — transformed by the event from rival combatants into allied sons of America.

Under a nonstop barrage of sound and sparkle, spectators sang along to a medley of patriotic songs that ranged from traditional marches and hymns to contemporary pop and country tunes. The spontaneous singalong served as a reminder that the nation was celebrating the 239th birthday of its declaration of independence.

It’s hard to imagine that three months ago this show was declared a no go.

Many thanks to the utility companies that refused to let that happen.

Back in April when Peoples and Pennsylvania American com- mitted to saving our July 4 celebration, Peoples spokesman Barry Kukozich explained: “If you take a look at what these types of activities do, how that increases value in the community, that’s very important. ... The healthier our communities are, the healthier we are as a company.”

Well said.