My Paltry Memories of a 4th of July

[Ozarks Tom]

The only 4th of July that stands out for me happened in 1963.  I'd joined the Army on April Fools Day, sort of fitting, isn't it?  Well, 9 weeks later, about June 10th, I graduated boot camp at Ft Leonard Wood Missouri.  Upon graduation, we had one week of leave, so about 50 of us from Minnesota pooled our travel vouchers to hire a bus back to Minneapolis.

Fireworks were illegal in Minnesota, so before we left Missouri we stopped at a big fireworks stand and nearly bought the place out.  We were only drawing $78/month, but had barely spent a dime during training.  That bus became a rolling bomb, but what did we care, we had plans.

Getting home to Mankato MN, I spread the word I had fireworks for sale.  I sold out in two days.  I turned my roughly $100 investment into $400!  That wasn't chicken feed in '63, who says crime doesn't pay?

Yes, I was the kid your parents warned you about.

[blackfeather]

Years ago when I was a kid fire works were allowed in Canada but not New York, so we would go to Canada and smuggle fire crackers back across the boarder. They weren't that powerful, but it was better than nothing. Now New York has made fountains legal but still no aerials, of course that does't stop anyone. Someone called the police because some people across the street had a grand finale with a bunch or aerials, the cops came up the street so slow that everyone involved had time to clean up and leave the scene before they got there. The sheriffs are pretty relaxed about that sort of stuff, as long as your not endangering anyone they pretty much leave you alone.

[themotherhen]

We set off fireworks at my sister's house before we went to the town fireworks. A church across the street from the big parking lot where we sit had a couple of bouncy houses for the kids and and popcorn, cotton candy, snow-cones, and water. It was hot and humid! I got an extra cotton candy for my Grandma because she couldn't walk that far. She enjoyed it so much! A Mom with older children named Mary sat next to us and was organized enough to bring popsicles, chalk, and a few balls. We all had so much fun watching the kids play! We had 14 children in our group, including the friends and girlfriends of the older boys. My sisters and I were hesitant about the kids sharing her things because we didn't have anything to offer in return. Mary reassured us, telling us that when her 5 children were young, she did well to even make sure everyone had their shoes on when leaving the house! She said that she always brings the things her children enjoyed when they were younger, to "pay it forward" for other families with little kids. I think that is a lovely idea, and I plan on doing the same when my children are grown.

[paisley]

No fireworks in the land if the midnight sun.

They are a Christmas and new year's eve deal.

Totally illegal....
But kasilof is known for a great show. One side the inlet starts it and the other side returns the volly sometime it looked like a sea battle.

Shooting over the inlet is pretty safe. No one has every been busted!