DRENCHING rain and freezing winds didn't stop a huge crowd lining the shores of Lake Burley Griffin last night, as they watched Skyfire set the sky ablaze from beneath umbrellas and raincoats.
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The choreographed firework display saw a steady stream of pyrotechnics dancing above the lake's waters.
Over 100,000 Canberrans were sprawled across the lake's vantage points, huddling under blankets, raincoats or anything that would keep the rain off their heads during the 18-minute display.
Crowd behaviour had been good up to 9pm, but police said they had picked up a number of teenagers for underage drinking.
Despite the underage drinkers, police had been extremely pleased with the behaviour of Skyfire patrons, according to a spokeswoman.
The rain had threatened from late in the afternoon, and finally began to fall about 8pm, just half an hour before the fireworks started.
But for many, the rain didn't take away from the sight of fiery colours leaping in time with the radio soundtrack.
For Dianne Purcell the combination of St Patrick's Day and Skyfire made for a night to remember.
She recently moved to Australia from Britain, and was born in Ireland.
She said the fireworks made for a far more special St Patrick's Day than she would have had in her homeland.
''It was excellent for me,'' Ms Purcell said.
''At home, we might see fireworks, but not if you're from the country where I'm from,'' she said.
The show featured more than 2500 aerial fireworks, 25,000 shooting comets, and roughly 40,000 pyrotechnic effects.
A spectacular air show added to the celebration as did performances by dance act the Justice Crew, and the Australian Federal Guard.
Traffic was slow moving out of Skyfire, as Canberrans rushed to get out of the rain all at once.
