For most of us, fireworks are a Fourth of July tradition, yet every year, it's increasingly harder to see them. Some cities scramble to find the money to put on the annual show, while others ban the blazing entertainment entirely to prevent fires and keep people safe.
As a kid in Sacramento, there were always fireworks available to me. My parents weren't the types to frequent fireworks stands, but there was always someone in the neighborhood putting on an elaborate, albeit contained, show in the street, or we could pop over to Cal Expo and grab a seat to watch the big show.
Now that I'm in San Mateo County to stay, the hunt is on for a good fireworks display. The closest city show is in Foster City, but don't even think about trying to get a seat at that! Safe and sane in Belmont? You won't find it. No, this year for the fourth, we went just a little bit further for our fun: Pacifica.
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My boyfriend has friends who have a house in Pacifica, so we joined them for dinner and festivities, and picked up a few fireworks on the way. I left the purchasing decisions to Criss; I've never bought fireworks in my life, and until this year, had only lit sparklers. *hangs head in shame*
After eating Nevada's (Criss's friend) kick-ass ribs, we lined up chairs on the sidewalk and the kids (three girls) huddled in a blanket as the long-awaited darkness fell. And then, courtesy of the men and their fireworks expertise, the show began! Some were a delight, others were entertainment duds, and we even learned that sparklers are potentially dangerous (wave them and they break, sending sparks flying). And then, whiz! bang! pop!, our show was augmented by an even larger show. Someone in the vicinity started launching the big boys, and the moon was circled by shimmering streams of light (I wish I had a photo).
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We kept a list of our favorites (these were TNT brand), which included:
- Purple rain (the regular, NOT the jumbo)
- Lil' red devil
- Orchid
- Eagle fountain
- Black widow
- Cricket
- Blazing rebel
And I was initiated as a fireworks lighter, grabbing my first punk from Criss and eagerly walking out in the street to set my chosen powder keg ablaze.
So next year, if you're looking for a show but don't want to brave the crowds to see one, find a friend in a city that allows safe and sane fireworks (Pacifica and San Bruno, I believe) and let your creativity flow!
