Fireworks 2009

Our 4th of July story continues:

Just as our spot to watch the parade was "staked out" days in advance, so was our spot to watch the fireworks....and what a great spot it was! Notice the red and yellow paint designating it as our spot!

The area that all the family gathered was right across the river from where they were launching the fireworks from. We found a parking spot and walked into the area (about 1/2 mile walk) where we were going to spend the next three hours waiting for the launch time of 10 pm.

launch site across the Snake River from us

Snacks and toys were packed for the adults and kids. There were about 30 people (maybe more) that we had a great time visiting with as we waited for the main event.

There was an incredible amount of people in the park, people parked along the roadways and there was several campers parked along roadways too, where it appeared that people had been there all day making a great day of the 4th celebration. I was too slow on the camera to get a picture of all the campers.

Before we knew it it was time. The kids were excited as the skies grew darker with the anticipation that the show was getting ready to start. I apparently was the "watch keeper" because I was checking the time and counting down for several little kids. I was sure hoping that the people lighting off the rockets were going to be on time so I did not have to disappoint anyone.

I am not sure if I can find enough adjectives to describe how incredible the show was. Dennis' Aunt Lorna brought her radio so we could hear the music that the radio station was broadcasting in sync with the fireworks which only added to the beauty. This show was spectacular from start to finish. There was NEVER a lag in between the rockets being shot off.

I have to say that being that close to the launch area did have a down side. When they started launching, the smoke was drifting over our area real well and I was concerned. But thankfully the smoke changed directions and seemed to be going down river instead. Also after the fireworks were done we had quite a bit of ash over our blankets and coolers. I would imagine it was on us too! :o(

Unfortunately, the shutter speed on my camera is way too slow to take any decent pictures of the show.

As I watched the colors and heard the continuous boom, boom of exploding rockets, I kept thinking this is the "grand finale"! The truth be told I thought the show was ending five minutes after it started, because the rockets were firing continuously and it was so impressive. But the show lasted a full 30 minutes, with never a dull moment. The music as the backdrop made the show more brilliant, especially when they played "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong. It is simply one of my favorite songs of all time.

This would have to be one of the most stunning fireworks shows I have ever seen. I tried to find out exactly how much this town of approximately 54,000 people spend on the fireworks show. The people I talked to thought they had heard it was about a 2-3 million dollar extravaganza! All I could say was WOW!!!

We had a wonderful time in Idaho Falls. We had been invited for a long time and just never made it over for the holiday. Dennis had not seen the 4th celebrations in his home town for a long time, over 16 years, so it was nice for him to bring us to spend time with his family and his traditions that he grew up with.

We are looking forward to next year!