Forty-three years ago tonight, July 3rd, 1977, right about this time, my dad and mom, my brothers, and I were wandering around Derryfirled Park, amongst an ocean of people, looking for the perfect place to settle in and watch the fireworks.
I remember shortly after we sat down, a group of grown-ups right next to us were setting off sparklers and their blanket started to catch on fire. But, due to quick thinking (and a cooler full of beer) they quickly extinguished their patriotic blaze by pouring their 16-ounce bottles of Budweiser on the blanket.
That, in itself, was quite the display. I was fully entertained. And glad I was a kid.
I will never forget that night. Or going to the fireworks in a park, not a parking lot, surrounded by… well… everyone.
Happy 4th, Manch people.
