ORLANDO, Fla. -- The debut of Zambelli Fireworks Company in the city of Orlando appeared to be a hit as people walked out of Lake Eola Park around 9:40pm. Many people told Channel 9 it was the best grand finale they'd seen in the city.

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WATCH: 21-Minute Fireworks Display Lights Up Orlando's Lake Eola
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Zambelli was the only fireworks company that agreed to put on a show in Orlando for a cost of $35,000, all paid by sponsors of the event, which actually started around 4:00pm.

"It's good for the people to come out and get together and enjoy a good time together. It's really important," said Orlando resident Jenny Bower.

While there was no official total on the number of people who attended the display, the city anticipated between 100,000 and 140,000 people. Many cities had been forced to scale back or even cancel their fireworks displays this year. But because sponsors covered Orlando's cost, the show went on as usual.

"It means a lot to us because it's such a patriotic celebration. We have members of our Veterans advisory council out here and members of the military. It's special for us to honor them and honor their service on the 4th," said city of Orlando spokesperson Tamara Ahrens.

At their first stop in the city, the Zambelli Company had promised a show unlike any seen before at Lake Eola.

"I hope people brought sunglasses, because I'm going to light it up! We're going to light this thing up," said pyro technician Lloyd Lightsey before the show.

He did just that, sending up half of the show's 1,000 shells for the finale.