Flower petals and racquet balls shattered like glass, and a plastic bottle became a rocket.

The magic of science featuring those experiments and many more kept about a thousand children and their parents entertained for an hour Saturday afternoon during the annual Bromelsick Christmas Party at the Lied Center.

“I liked it when they shot the bottle across the string,” Michael Edman, 7, said after the show, referring to a demonstration involving the ignition of methanol gas inside the plastic bottle.

The Lawrence boy said he didn’t plan on trying the experiment at home unless his dad, Don Edman, who attended the event with him, was willing to do it.

Barkley Edison, 7, Lawrence, who watched the show with his 4-year-old sister, Alexus, said he hoped another science show would take place next year so he could see more of the same.

“It was great,” he said.

Members of Alpha Chi Sigma, a chemistry fraternity from Kansas State University, put on the show and enjoyed it as much as the children did, said Dave Heroux, a graduate student with the fraternity.

“This was the largest crowd we’ve ever performed in front of, and it was the most enthusiastic,” Heroux said.

This was the 51st year for the Bromelsick party. It began after Lawrence businessman Alfred Bromelsick left his estate to Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and 4-H organizations. His will had a stipulation that the organizations put on a variety show for children – with candy.

“We were very pleased with the turnout,” said Martha Rose, a Girl Scout representative who coordinated planning for the event.

Each year the show is generally designed to educate the audience, said Cathy Musick, K-State Research and Extension agent who heads area 4-H programs. A Girl Scout had seen the chemistry fraternity perform and suggested it for this year’s party.

“The kids always have an idea about what they want to see,” Musick said.