Carbondale Fireworks

 As of 7:45, the concern about inclinent weather  has passed and Carbondale's fireworks are scheduled to go on as planned, although the musical programing will start later than scheduled. Of course, nothing about the weather has stopped people in town from setting off fireworks starting shortly before 6 p.m.

Bald Knob Cross 250

 In case you want to see lots of fireworks from several different communities, the Bald Knob Cross is offering evening viewing hours tomorrow night starting at 7 p.m.  I am not sure if other events are planned for the Cross, such as music, but the Visitors Center will be open with food available.

July 4th fireworks

Carbondale will host its annual Independence Day fireworks display at the SIUC baseball fields with parking in the Bantera Cener parking lot. There will be a concert starting at 7:45 with the fireworks beginning at 9:15.

Of course, you could just wait around the town square as Carbondalians will shoot off fireworks in the neighborhoods to the northeast and northwest of the Pavillion

Fireworks

 Man, the (illegal) fireworks were loud and abundant this year. I starting hearing loud explosions in the downtown area around 6  p.m. and saw a number of aerial displays on north side of town on the way home. Several groups apparently did not have suitable places to shoot them off around their house as they had set up their boomies in the street. I heard some fireworks shot off were powerful enough to shatter a window over on Rawlings. Apparently there was no concern by the celebrants regarding the fact that the city has only had an inch of rain in the past two month. I did hear the sirens of several emergency vehicles but no reports of any fires, thank goodness.

Last year, I remember driving home through a haze of smoke but fewer aerial displays. This year, more displays but less neighborhood smoke. 

Declaration of Independence

Read the Declaration of Independence on Facebook Live this afternoon. Interview Interview and a snippet of the reading appeared on Wsil 3 this evening at 5 and 6. Hope to recruit others to particpate in the reading next year. Hopefully the mayor, ED of the Chamber of Commerce and a few council members and civic leaders and community members.

Fireworks

 Good lord! Given that people were not supposed to be shooting off fireworks last night, there were an awfully lot of fireworks shot off last night. As I was driving through town last night, I saw about 24 dozen people in the parking lot of the America's Best Value Inn setting off fireworks. It appeared quite the organized event as they had a tent set up and a number of people sitting in lawn chairs  enjoying the festivities. As I got home about 10 p.m., smoke from myriad fireworks filled the air of my neighborhood.

Appears there was some trouble as well as a couple of fire trucks headed west on Main Street about 9 p.m. as well. 

July 4th

 Carbondale's Fourth of July fireworks have moved back to the SIUC campus with best viewing from the parking lot by the Stadium and Arena. According to the WSJ, the supply of consumer fireworks is expected to be 30% lower this year and cost 25% more