Fireworks are always a memorable component of any Independence Day celebration. I have been very fortunate to witness many that have each left a unique impression on me. Here are my most memorable:
- Knoxville, TN - 1982 World's Fair
I think this was my first exposure to an exhibition beyond that of my hometown municipality. I remember it being such a grand spectacle. I was a young teenager at the time, so was quite impressionable. Neyland Stadium was the venue. Johnny Cash played the headliner concert, followed by the fireworks. They lasted for a very long time, and I was awed by whole thing. So much so that it stands out as being the first Independence Day festival which I really remember. - Pittsburgh, PA
Downtown Pittsburgh is dramatically set between three rivers, with Mt. Washington providing a dramatic overlook from the south side. This viewpoint is truly fantastic, as it allows a high, yet close view of the central city and is a perfect spot for viewing the fireworks over downtown and the reflections of them in the river below. - Fort Benning, GA
This army base, located just south of Columbus, is the "Home of the Infantry" and is the second largest military base in the USA. And its Independence Day celebration is among the best I have ever witnessed. There were several demonstrations conducted by the units at the base. One was a precision parachute jump by the elite Silver Wings, in which the team jumped from a very high altitude and landed on a small "X" marked in a grass field. Another was a "fast roping" exercise executed by the Army Rangers, in which squad of about 12 soldiers descended from a low hovering helicopter in a matter of seconds. But the highlight of the show was the fireworks, of course. And nothing is better to accompany the display than the performance of the 1812 Overture by the Army Band. Oh.. and REAL howitzers were fired at the dramatic conclusion, and then the fireworks began!! Yeah... that was hard to top! The fireworks lasted for about 30 minutes, after which I could only feel a great sense of pride to be an American. - Gloucester, MA
A great seafood dinner with some fantastic lobster bisque was followed by a harbor cruise. We joined a lot of other boats to enjoy the fireworks display over the Gloucester Harbor. It was a great way to see them and it was the first time I had spent the celebration on water. - Los Angeles, CA
I was staying in the La Puente valley area, at the Pacific Palms Resort. It is located on top of a large hill in the middle of the valley. I was staying here for business, but being there on the 4th proved to be quite special. My room was on a higher floor, so it provided a sweeping view over the valley below. At nightfall, the valley literally lit up. And not from any public exhibition. This time the show came from individual homes, all around the valley. One of my coworkers had a room on the opposite side of the hotel, and so we got to see more of the display on that side of the valley as well. It lasted several hours, and I went to sleep that night with the surprising realization that the best fireworks show I had ever witnessed was not one put on by a public municipality, but by a community of private residences. - Estes Park, CO
Located just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park, this town sits in a valley surrounded by some very tall mountain peaks. What I remember most about these fireworks was not so much seeing them, but hearing them. The explosions echoed off of the mountains, and so each one had many reverberations. This greatly amplified the effect and caused quite a dramatic display. - Chicago, IL
Downtown Chicago is one of the best places to spend July 4th. But I spent it in the suburbs, which have good fireworks displays as well. And being very flat and clear, you can see them from a great distance. While sitting in a Jacuzzi at a friend's back yard, I was able to watch what must have been the fireworks of 3 different municipalities. It was an unexpected surprise to witness it from a hottub! - Atlanta, GA
Centennial Olympic Park was the venue where I observed Atlanta's celebration. A very hot and sweaty day that featured a performance by the Atlanta Symphony followed by the fireworks. The visual display was magnified by the reflections off of the surrounding glass skyscrapers. That is one great advantage of being in a close downtown setting. - Las Vegas, NV
A city that needs no more light shows, it nonetheless must have a grandstanding spectacle for this holiday. Caesar's Palace provided the fireworks here, and there where many spots all around the strip from which to watch them. - Charleston, SC
This is where I will spend July 4th this year. Hopefully it will create more unique memories to add to this list....
