where to watch fireworks? (Bangor, Bath: home, earthquake, live in)

[ekh32]

My parents are in town and I would like to watch some good fireworks somewhere. We live in Old Town. I heard Bar Harbour has a good show. But I was worried about it being crazy busy. I heard Bangor has fireworks but traffic is bad and the fireworks aren't that great. But these are all things I have just heard. Any suggestions are welcomed!

Thanks!

[Acadianlion]

Extremely foggy across the bay here. That means it will be at least as foggy in Bar Harbor, and it will be very surprising if the fireworks aren't cancelled.

Everytime someone asks about fireworks, I think about that night a long time ago when I talked with Brick. Brick was three B-52 bombers, and I was a guy with "big eyes in the sky" whose job was to literally watch their backs. This time it was special because they were going to drop their loads not far from where I was stationed. It was about midnight and the cloud cover was high enough to see distances beneath it for a long way, perhaps fifty miles or so. Far enough.

I heard the voice, strong over the radio. The voice said, "Lion: Brick is level in the box." I put down my earphones and went out to stand in the night looking east.

It takes some time for two hundred thirty six 500 pound bombs to fall thirty five thousand feet. They don't land all at once and the impacts extend over ten miles or so.

I have no idea where they actually hit, those iron bombs full of explosive. But the light show that they made against the low cloud cover was like a hundred huge searchlights flashing and flashing and flashing, and even as far away as I stood, I could hear a long angry growl as in groups of threes, those bombs exploded. It was truely Rolling Thunder.

I went back inside and picked up my headset when it was over. I looked on the radar screen and could see the little lights that were the reflection of Brick heading back south. Procedure was that we wouldn't speak again.

I knew that over there on the ground, an area of jungle two miles wide by ten miles long was knocked flat to the ground, and that anything for hundreds of yards around that area was dead or scrambled. Animals, birds, mice, rats, snakes, men, women or children were either dead or were so damaged that they would never function as whatever they were again.

There will be a big fireworks show on TV tonight from Washington. As usual my wife will watch it. The music will be terrific, and as usual, I will listen to the music from my study.

But after watching Brick that night, I never want to watch fireworks again.

[CoastalMaine]

War is hell Acadian. Your memory here is proof of that. The memory seared forever in your brain. Where would we be without it though.

If I am fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of fireworks over Pen Bay tonight, I will be thinking of all those who have fought, sacrificed, and paid the ultimate price for us to be able to enjoy such lighthearted moments in complete safety; from the most free place in the civilized world. Quite the fete I'd say.

Thank-you Acadian for your sacrifice. I'm truly very sorry you were so adversely affected with such memories. I am forever grateful to you and millions more who have taken on that charge with dignity and solemn pride. God Bless you and all the rest.

Happy Fourth of July.

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by ekh32

My parents are in town and I would like to watch some good fireworks somewhere. We live in Old Town. I heard Bar Harbour has a good show. But I was worried about it being crazy busy. I heard Bangor has fireworks but traffic is bad and the fireworks aren't that great. But these are all things I have just heard. Any suggestions are welcomed!

I've never stayed for the fireworks show, but L.L. Bean in Freeport always has a free concert (I think it's Patty Loveless this year) followed by the fireworks.

The fireworks in Bath are nice. They shoot 'em right over the water. But it can get crowded.

[tcrackly]

Reminds me of my Dad, Acadianlion. He always dropped my Mom and me off somewhere by the waterfront to watch the fireworks. He went, God knows where, local pub, safety of home. I don't ever recall him sitting and watching the fireworks with us. WWII left too many scars , i guess.
Thanks to all the soldiers and their support staffers that insured our freedoms today. Independence is hard won and hard work to maintain. Let's hope we can all keep it going with our conscience, civility, and rights intact.

[GarlicGuy]

If the rain stops there is usually nice fireworks in Bangor. They usually close off the middle bridge and either side of the river is good viewing. Starts at 9:15pm

[JC3]

We called them arc lights and being on the ground and feeling them and seeing them will never leave anything to the imagination. You hear nothing from above and then hang on. I can only describe it as rolling thunder and an earthquake all in one.

[retiredtinbender]

The two big campaigns: Arc Light and Rolling Thunder. Lots of noise from the BUFFs

[peachie_in_maine]

I saw a nice un advertised selection near our home. But I think it's unadvertised for a reason!
I love staying close to home for the holidays. lol

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by Mark S.

I've never stayed for the fireworks show, but L.L. Bean in Freeport always has a free concert (I think it's Patty Loveless this year) followed by the fireworks.

The fireworks in Bath are nice. They shoot 'em right over the water. But it can get crowded.

The fireworks in Freeport were average this year. They were good, for a small town show. Patty Loveless is talented but if she sang one more slow, crying, dying, twangy song people were going to start hanging themselves off the scaffolding. I suppose the songs were reflective of the national mood these days though.....depressed.