We Went To Malarkeys And "Waited" From 5:00 Until 9:00 (Page Three)
Fireworks are a class of low explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. The most common use of a firework is as part of a fireworks display (also called a fireworks show or pyrotechnics), a display of the effects produced by firework devices. Fireworks competitions are also regularly held at a number of places.
Fireworks take many forms to produce the four primary effects: noise, light, smoke, and floating materials (confetti for example). They may be designed to burn with colored flames and sparks including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and silver. Displays are common throughout the world and are the focal point of many cultural and religious celebrations.
Fireworks were invented in ancient China in the 12th century to scare away evil spirits, as a natural extension of the Four Great Inventions of ancient China of gunpowder.
The Show Is About To Begin
A few minutes away
Sunset today was 8:06 PM
The birds head for cover!
The bird brains head off to the highest point!
Oops... We have a fire!
Minutes later it is out...
We were on the gang plank between the restaurant and the floating dock... Perfect
Only minutes remain!
Sixty people? Really? Thank goodness there were safety margins built in!
Pat and Diane cuddle as the show begins!
The PA system announces two minutes to go!
Sue got the best spot on the ramp!
Unobstructed view!
The last of the boats come into the bay for the show
Ba-Boom... The show begins!
Lighting up the sky!
Did You Know?
- In Mexico, the tall towers decorated with fireworks and built for fiestas are called castillos.
- In 1996, a string of firecrackers were lit that lasted 22 hours for the Chinese New Year in Hong Kong.
Amazing colors
The sky seems to be on fire!
Did You Know?
- The first fireworks were actually green bamboo that were thrown into fires to scare spirits away in ancient China, called "pas chuk."
- It is believed that gunpowder was discovered accidentally by a Chinese alchemist who mixed sulphur and salt peter (potassium nitrate) over a fire. The Chinese name for gunpowder is "huo yao" (fire chemical).
- Placing gun powder into bamboo stalks and then throwing them onto a fire to be ignited produced a louder and more powerful bang; hence the firecracker was born.
Almost daylight for a few seconds!
The sounds make the show!
Did You Know?
- Settlers brought fireworks to the U.S. during 1600s.
- The first Independence Day fireworks celebration was in 1776, and was memorialized by then future President John Adams as follows:
- "The day (Independence Day) will be the most memorable in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival...it ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade...bonfires and illuminations (fireworks) from one end of this continent to the other, from this day forward forevermore."
The look of lace was magnificent
Did You Know?
- Static electricity in synthetic clothing can ignite fireworks. Those who make fireworks wear cotton all the way down to their underwear.
- In today's public display shows, computers are used to control the launching of the fireworks and the synchronization of the aerial bursts with music.
- 30 years ago professional fireworks shows lasted on average over an hour, in comparison to today's shows which last approximately 20 minutes.
The lace was simply beautiful!
As the light dissipated the display was like jumping into "warp speed"
Magnificent!
Several launched at one time
Every display seemed to be different
Did You Know?
- Fireworks became very popular in Great Britain during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. William Shakespeare mentions fireworks in his works, and fireworks were so much enjoyed by the Queen herself that she created a "Fire Master of England." King James II was so pleased with the fireworks display that celebrated his coronation that he knighted his Fire Master.
- Italians were the first to manufacture fireworks in Europe.
The smoke billowed toward the shore...
Happy faces!
It was a great show!
"Dang... Do we have to go home now?"
