4th of July Fireworks Juneau 2008

Contrasting your typical downtown DC 4th with Juneau could not be more stark.

First, it's a short walk to the harbor from our hotel. It seems as though the entire city is on a beeline for the show. Fireworks start on the 3rd, at 11:59 for the obvious reason that darkness is elusive at this time of year. But nature cooperates and a low cloud ceiling and light drizzle adds to the ambiance.

Clearly, the citizens of Juneau believe that their experience is enhanced with alcohol and it shows in their exuberance.

The crowd is a critical part of the celebration and their OOHs and AAHs add to the festive nature of the event- where every bursting shell is met with approval.

I shot a very short segment of the nearly 30-minute show. The sound track is the most interesting part. I'm probably a few dB lower on my auditory acuity as a result of the cheering and whistling, but this is the first place that I've been on the 4th (and that includes a number of foreign locales) where a group of admiring patriots broke out singing the Star-spangled Banner (much like it was originally performed as a drinking song before Francis Scott Key put the words to the tune).

The NOAA boat capped off the awesome celebration with multitudinous blasts on its horns, sending everyone scattering to the many bars that swung wide their welcoming doors.

Then started the arsenal of private pyrotechnics coupled with the roar of what seemed to be hundreds of straight-pipe Harleys. Is this a great country, or what?

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Independence
• Day
• 4th
• of
• July
• Juneau
• Alaksa