About this time last year, I was packed on a pontoon with friends and family, eating, drinking, and (ahem), singing.
That’s right. If you search long and hard, perhaps you’ll come across the recording of a few pitchy 4th of July tunes echoing around an unnamed Minnesota lake, but I wouldn’t dare link to that here. (I’m still hoping for some eventual inheritance.)
But let me paint the picture: In the middle of a dark, almost moon-less night, the twinkling stars were joined in all directions by about six separate fireworks shows. It was beautiful. It was inviting. And there were festive drinks involved. If that doesn’t inspire you to break into “God Bless America,” you’re not my kind of American!
Who knows what this year will bring (Katy Perry’s “Firework”?), but one of the few advantages I see of the 4th landing on a Wednesday is that celebrations will likely happen all week long. So keep your eyes peeled. Though it won’t be too hard—there are Independence Day events planned from Minneapolis and St. Paul to St. Cloud and beyond.
“Red White and Boom” started in downtown Minneapolis today and finishes tomorrow with a light show at 10 p.m. Festivities occur all day though, starting with a Hot Dam (indeed!) 5K and five-mile run (previously scheduled as a half-marathon, until extreme heat and humidity intervened). And yes, the Minneapolis Aquatennial is back and running its 73rd year, with daily events starting July 13 and ending July 21 with the huge Target Fireworks display.
St. Paulites should keep their eye on downtown like usual, with fireworks coming tomorrow night at dusk from the riverfront area near Harriet Island Regional Park.
Of course there are loads of smaller events, so check the Star Tribune‘s Summer Fireworks Guide powered by Vita.mn or the KSTP list. WCCO also has a nice fireworks reference, if your town isn’t listed in the aforementioned. Or perhaps you just need to look up, like we do.
Either way, enjoy! Be safe! And feel free to set your own soundtrack for the show.
