Review of the 4th of July
08/Jul/09 20:22 Filed in: Personal
My thoughts on this year’s 4th of July activities for a large metropolitan city vs a small town’s 4th of July activities.
This year for the United States 4th of July celebration in Minneapolis, a very good friend of mine was able to get some tickets to watch the fireworks from The Guthrie theater, off the Endless Bridge. Literally, we were high above everyone who was sitting on the grass watching the display above them. There were people gathered on the Stone Arch Bridge, as well as cars stopping on the newly renovated I-35W bridge watching the displays.
Even though I’m use to Firework displays going on for at least an hour in small towns, Minneapolis’s display was only 20-25 minutes. They had some very nice fireworks, but it’s a disappointment when small cities have better displays than a large metropolitan city. I really enjoyed the view that we had, very unobstructed, clear shot, and not crowded, but it would have been nicer for a longer display.
The best place that I have ever watched fireworks on the 4th of July was in Lisle, IL which is just outside of Chicago. I had the great pleasure to see their display in both 1991 and 1992. I was marching with The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps from Rosemont, IL, and after a day of marching parades, we ended up being in Lisle for “The Taste of Lisle”, and then watch the fireworks later that night.
The displays were located in the park, which also houses a bandshell. Of course, I don’t remember what bands were playing, but once the fireworks started, the band would stop and they would play pre-recorded music that was pretty much in sync to the fireworks going off. It left such an impression on me that even to this day, I can still see the displays and hear the music.
The best part about those displays were listening to Neal Diamond’s “Today”. Each time Today would be heard, a HUGE firework would explode. It was AWESOME!!!
Even though I’m use to Firework displays going on for at least an hour in small towns, Minneapolis’s display was only 20-25 minutes. They had some very nice fireworks, but it’s a disappointment when small cities have better displays than a large metropolitan city. I really enjoyed the view that we had, very unobstructed, clear shot, and not crowded, but it would have been nicer for a longer display.
The best place that I have ever watched fireworks on the 4th of July was in Lisle, IL which is just outside of Chicago. I had the great pleasure to see their display in both 1991 and 1992. I was marching with The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps from Rosemont, IL, and after a day of marching parades, we ended up being in Lisle for “The Taste of Lisle”, and then watch the fireworks later that night.
The displays were located in the park, which also houses a bandshell. Of course, I don’t remember what bands were playing, but once the fireworks started, the band would stop and they would play pre-recorded music that was pretty much in sync to the fireworks going off. It left such an impression on me that even to this day, I can still see the displays and hear the music.
The best part about those displays were listening to Neal Diamond’s “Today”. Each time Today would be heard, a HUGE firework would explode. It was AWESOME!!!