Fourth of July weekend. I've spent it in Chicago, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Nashville, Detroit and Salt Lake City (and probably a few other places I'm not recalling). But the BEST place for an Independence Day celebration? My hometown. That's right--little Bay City, Michigan, does it like no other. For years they've boasted the Midwest's best fireworks, and people, if you've never lain on a blanket in Vets Park with those huge multi-rocket blasts seemingly raining down right on you, you haven't lived. They actually put on three nights of fireworks shows. Yep, some of those big cities may have fancier displays, but give me good old-fashioned explosions perfectly choreographed to go off in rapid succession, culminating in a simultaneous climax of light and sound...ahhh, heaven!
Bay City is Midland Street, the Sage Library, City Dairy ice cream, Madonna (born in BC), Center Avenue historic district, the State Theater, the Bay City Rollers (named after BC), Saginaw Bay sunsets, Mill End, softball games and the Riverwalk.
Summer in Bay City abounds with fun things to do: the Tall Ship Celebration, the River Roar, the Pig Gig, concerts in Wenona Park. Oh yeah. And the fireworks.
Every time I've gone to another city's fireworks display, no matter how hoity-toity the metropolis, the story's the same. As we head back to our cars, toting coolers and lawn chairs and blankets, we take up the inevitable chant: "Bay City's better...Bay City's better...Bay City's better..." Not loudly. Not rudely. But quietly and firmly, to ourselves, but also to our home sweet home.
Beth
I sent information and the web address to Shirley Roberts and suggested she might like to use this to publicize Bay City.
Posted by: Dad | July 03, 2009 at 01:11 PM
Bay City also has a vintage ball team called the Independents. These men play the game of baseball like it used to be played in the 1860's without fences, without gloves, in funny looking wool uniforms and no umpire calls balls or strikes.. Their games are at Carroll Park on Sundays during the summer months. The games are free. See details at http://www.mlive.com/news/bay-city/index.ssf/2009/05/play_ball_bay_city_independent.html
Posted by: Mom | July 03, 2009 at 06:04 PM
awesome pics!! I've been to Bay City...a long time ago but I've visited. Wish I would have known about the awesome fireworks back then, LOL.
Posted by: Sue Fields | July 05, 2009 at 08:05 AM
Ok, Susan... I assume you are both from Bay City...? That is my Dad's hometown. I've spent many 4ths there and I agree that they are the best fireworks!
Posted by: Jessica Witty | July 06, 2009 at 10:32 AM