I've always said that I'd drag my broken and suppurating legs to see fireworks. They are one of the great joys of my life.

Of course, in the UK, our night is 5 Nov. In a local town from me, Lewes, they have several fireworks societies who all make massive set-piece floats (which later are ignited) and fire-lit process through the ancient town, with brass bands, letting off home-made bangers (the type that leave you deaf and seeing only a map of Australia), and other fireworks and firecrackers, roilling tar barrels, holding burning crosses aloft (not a la KKK). Costumes range from Trojan warriors to US Civil War, pirates to Aztecs, vikings to British Redcoats from "Zulu".

The whole night has a real Mardi Gras feel to it and later all the societies go to their own sites. You pick one to follow. Then there are the most speccy displays and you can see those of the other societies all over the sky.

The event is tied in with Bloody Mary's persecution of protestants in the 16th century. AT each bonfire site they have several men on a rostrum, dressed as cardinals, who address the crowd. They can't be heard for the jeers and firworks being let off by the crowd, who aim them at the cardinals. Rockets and bangers bounce off their cassocks and robes. Great fun!

I always take some "tinnies" and a hip-flask.

Absolutely magic night and one of the highlights of my calendar.

http://www.lewesbonfirecouncil.org.uk/

There are several good fireworks displays during the year where I live: the pier at weekends in summer, during the Brighton Festival, at the winter solstice, any other excuse.

> rofl
>>http://www.spiritof76fireworks.com/
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>I love July 4th almost as much as Christmas. Every year on the 4th I get liquored up on Guinness during the day, and then put on a 2-hour show at night. Last summer we had over 50 people in our backyard (over an acre). By the end of the night the entire neighborhood smells like gun powder. I'd write more, but the tears of joy are just too much right now.