I really wanted to hold this post until I had pictures to go with it, but at this rate I think that would be Christmas.

We gathered up the troupe on the Fourth (extra people in the house totalling just over 20) and went to watch fireworks at the State Fairgrounds.

We got there just in time to find parking, but too late for the events.  Listened to the Drifters while we stood in line for funnel cakes and cotton candy, then hurried back to the cars.  Just before the parking lot we stopped at the restrooms, and noted that the bridge nearby was marked with warning signs, ‘fallout zone’, and that sort of thing.  As the group finished we were herded across the bridge by impatient security guys, then the bridge and area behind us was closed to non-firework personnel.

We set out blankets and chairs behind the cars, settled the kids in seats facing out the back of the car, and settled in for a sugar fix while we watched the show.

Except the wind must have changed ’cause the firework fallout was a little close.  Pretty soon we were peeking out from under umbrellas as bits of ash rained down.  The streak would go up, we’d ooh at the kaboom, then we’d watch the burning bits come down and mark their landing, or jump quick if they came our way.

Closest and most impressive firework show I’ve ever watched.  When it was all over the kids hopped out and collected the cardboard, bark-like stuff littering the ground.  I heard talk that they planned on making toy cars out of it.