Fireworks - Who doesn't "just watch"

[tony1679]

Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
I have never understood the excitement gained from watching a firecracker explode. I've watched a few professional fireworks shows, but I find the person getting their jollies by running around lighting them in their driveway to be rather ridiculous.


A driveway, maybe. But in the middle of a 30 acre field where no harm can be done, I disagree. It's quite fun. But to each their own.

Just spending time with your family, getting a few laughs, and being patriotic is the real excitement. The fireworks are a bonus.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: Astro14
Our neighborhood pays for our own display...running, on average, about $12,000 - $15,000 depending on how much was raised...it's a GREAT show, on the beach, and we walk home...no traffic, no worries.

So, I am not certain if I am a "just watch" by your definition...we skip the city's display for our own...even though the city of Virginia Beach does a great job, we prefer to avoid the crowds and traffic...


+1. Each little town around does their own display. I recall in my parents town they were only going to do one a few years ago of they raised $15k for it. The funds were raised by donations in a day or two.

I'd rather see the professional stuff set up and well done than have more personal risk and a smaller overall display. Pooling resources is good here, and it allows one to actually enjoy, not have to be doing a lot of work.

I enjoy firework shows from off shore in a boat.

Shooting off firecrackers was always fun, and when my child is older, we will do the same. But to me there is a difference in making some noise and light, and a real 4th display.

 

[exranger06]

 

[morepwr]

I used to get into the whole fireworks thing. These days I am much more content to let everybody else do it! I will just man the BBQ!

 

[gman2304]

My kids loved them when they were small. Now they do them for they're kids. Joe Dirt knows his fireworks! LOL!

 

[Quattro Pete]

Everyone participates, including the pets...

 

[spasm3]

Quattro, that was so funny! I loved it! Great video!

 

[j4life]

Since i live in the behind the Iron Curtain that is MA i cant get them here but I do grab some stuff when i go to NH I also was able to get some rockets when I went to FL

 

[morris]

when i was young my dad told me that in Texas he saw full size men soak in water. then stand in middle of the street and shoot each other with roman candles. that would have been the 20s or 30s.

 

[Mystic]

A guy across the street from me and down a couple a houses must have spent at least a thousand dollars on fireworks. He and his family and guests were firing them off almost continuously from about 4:30 PM to well into the night. He fired off probably at least thirty of those fancy rockets that sound like a cannon and send multi-colored lights in all directions. I have not bought fireworks for a while so I have no idea how much each of those cost. He also fired off just about all other fireworks you can buy, often several at once.

What I liked was a professional display that was close enough so I could enjoy it. I watched that right from my backyard deck.

 

[tony1679]

Originally Posted By: morepwr
I used to get into the whole fireworks thing. These days I am much more content to let everybody else do it! I will just man the BBQ!


Why not both? That's what I do!

 

[sciphi]

I got to watch the town's display from my back yard. Good enough for me! I play with enough other toys that have a good chance of injuring me, why bother?

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Originally Posted By: tony1679
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
I have never understood the excitement gained from watching a firecracker explode. I've watched a few professional fireworks shows, but I find the person getting their jollies by running around lighting them in their driveway to be rather ridiculous.


A driveway, maybe. But in the middle of a 30 acre field where no harm can be done, I disagree. It's quite fun. But to each their own.

Just spending time with your family, getting a few laughs, and being patriotic is the real excitement. The fireworks are a bonus.


Acreage has nothing to do with it. I find the lighting of firecrackers and other such devices ridiculous no matter what acreage is involved.

I'm not sure how patriotic one can be running around shooting off a few hundred dollars worth of explosives that were made in China. If you want to be patriotic then go do something that makes a real difference. It's how we celebrated Independence Day.

 

[spasm3]

Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Originally Posted By: tony1679
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
I have never understood the excitement gained from watching a firecracker explode. I've watched a few professional fireworks shows, but I find the person getting their jollies by running around lighting them in their driveway to be rather ridiculous.


A driveway, maybe. But in the middle of a 30 acre field where no harm can be done, I disagree. It's quite fun. But to each their own.

Just spending time with your family, getting a few laughs, and being patriotic is the real excitement. The fireworks are a bonus.


Acreage has nothing to do with it. I find the lighting of firecrackers and other such devices ridiculous no matter what acreage is involved.

I'm not sure how patriotic one can be running around shooting off a few hundred dollars worth of explosives that were made in China. If you want to be patriotic then go do something that makes a real difference. It's how we celebrated Independence Day.


Debbie Downer?
I think doing that on your own property is celebrating freedom. What you find silly other people enjoy. I'm sure some things you enjoy, others would find silly.

 

[SHOZ]

We went to a small town around me and watched last night. I don't participate anymore with the boomers. Use to when I was younger. But I wish I had something to throw behind the jerks next to us up as they yakked non stop through the whole hour of display......

 

[supton]

I walked down the hill to watch them on the lake. About 4 shows worth. Should bring ear plugs next time, though. The kids like them, I can take or leave them.

 

[andrewg]

Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Originally Posted By: tony1679
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
I have never understood the excitement gained from watching a firecracker explode. I've watched a few professional fireworks shows, but I find the person getting their jollies by running around lighting them in their driveway to be rather ridiculous.


A driveway, maybe. But in the middle of a 30 acre field where no harm can be done, I disagree. It's quite fun. But to each their own.

Just spending time with your family, getting a few laughs, and being patriotic is the real excitement. The fireworks are a bonus.


Acreage has nothing to do with it. I find the lighting of firecrackers and other such devices ridiculous no matter what acreage is involved.

I'm not sure how patriotic one can be running around shooting off a few hundred dollars worth of explosives that were made in China. If you want to be patriotic then go do something that makes a real difference. It's how we celebrated Independence Day.

I could not agree more. I despise the holiday.....not for what it celebrates....but for the idiocy and foolishness of the typical reveler. I think it's just another excuse for businesses to make money....and the average 'Joe' gets to act like a child....break laws....disturb others....litter all over the street....get drunk....panic pets....and basically just go wild.
One thing I've learned in life....if you give people the freedom to do just about anything that involves responsibility....they will eventually RUIN it for everybody.

 

[tony1679]

Originally Posted By: andrewg
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Originally Posted By: tony1679
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
I have never understood the excitement gained from watching a firecracker explode. I've watched a few professional fireworks shows, but I find the person getting their jollies by running around lighting them in their driveway to be rather ridiculous.


A driveway, maybe. But in the middle of a 30 acre field where no harm can be done, I disagree. It's quite fun. But to each their own.

Just spending time with your family, getting a few laughs, and being patriotic is the real excitement. The fireworks are a bonus.


Acreage has nothing to do with it. I find the lighting of firecrackers and other such devices ridiculous no matter what acreage is involved.

I'm not sure how patriotic one can be running around shooting off a few hundred dollars worth of explosives that were made in China. If you want to be patriotic then go do something that makes a real difference. It's how we celebrated Independence Day.

I could not agree more. I despise the holiday.....not for what it celebrates....but for the idiocy and foolishness of the typical reveler. I think it's just another excuse for businesses to make money....and the average 'Joe' gets to act like a child....break laws....disturb others....litter all over the street....get drunk....panic pets....and basically just go wild.
One thing I've learned in life....if you give people the freedom to do just about anything that involves responsibility....they will eventually RUIN it for everybody.


While I do agree there are a small number of bad apples, this couldn't be more untrue in my case. Nobody acts like a child, nobody breaks laws, nobody disturbs others, nobody litters, nobody panics pets (unless you count cattle, but they run about 10 acres to the other side of the property and are fine), and nobody goes wild. Some do drink a few beers, but nobody is irresponsible because kids are around. This is because we celebrate on our land 5 miles away from the closest town of <1,000 people. I'm sorry you hate celebrating this country's birthday. I bet if you celebrated like us, you might have a better outlook...

 

[andrewg]

tony1679....
In central Oklahoma, things may be different. I could list the laws broken here on the 4th where I live....but I don't think you'd believe me or care as I think you seem to feel that I am the one with the issue. I don't live on a 10 acre tract of land...I live in a neighborhood community (similar to any decent housing development you might see anywhere). Every single 4th I dread. It has NOTHING to do with not believing IN the holiday and what it celebrates....it's the idiots that have no regard for others or the rule of law (not to mention common sense or neighborly courtesy). My so called "outlook" isn't going to improve UNLESS I behave as others do. That isn't going to happen. I don't blast fireworks two days BEFORE and TWO days AFTER the holiday. I don't blow of hundreds of dollars worth of Chinese made fireworks...and then leave the shredded remains all over the street for DAYS...or worse. I don't shoot bottle rockets over the fence while my neighbors frightened dog is just trying to get away from the constant explosions. I don't encourage my kids to have a handful of explosive devices to go terrorize the neighborhood.....while I drink myself into a stupor.
You are lucky to live among well behaved and properly raised folks. That USED to be what most Americans were like.

 

[tony1679]

Andrewg - I never said you had an issue. I just misinterpreted. When explained like that, yeah, I would not be so cheery.

I had the (not so) priviledge of moving all over the country as a kid/teen. I learned quickly where I wanted to end up. Well behaved and properly raised is an understatement. Although there are bad apples everywhere. Almost everything seems better and more cheery here. I guess that's what happens when you aren't completely surrounded by nasty, stupid people.