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Our Fascination with Fireworks

Photo by Dan Eggert.

2,000 years ago, a cook in China threw together some ingredients, enclosed the mixture, heard a loud pop, and wham bam thank you, ma’am, fireworks made their meager beginnings.

Used throughout the centuries to scare away evil spirits, usher in new members of royalty, and remember America’s independence, the release of sparkling colors and memorizing designs has lost none of its fascination.

Throughout the holiday weekend, residents and visitors of Door County will line up lawn chairs, fire up their boats, or sit on the edge of a secluded dock, crane their necks, and ooh and awe the brilliance.

From Gills Rock to Sturgeon Bay, Fish Creek to Baileys Harbor to Egg Harbor, and all the way to Washington Island, the fireworks will fill the black, summer sky. For a time, all will seem still – a collective experience from a variety of vantage points. The restaurants, taverns, and ice cream parlors will pause before the post-firework onslaught begins, the rumble of boat engines will cease, and the chatter of respectful firework watchers will be limited to a number of adjectives: ‘beautiful,’ ‘awesome,’ ‘cool,’ ‘brilliant,’ etc.

Door County offers viewing opportunities for everyone: those who seek a crowd to share in the experience and those who seek solitude. Without breaking the law, check out shoreline vantage points or take up a canoe or kayak and be encompassed by the bright colors and popping sound. Or, settle yourself on a blanket or lawn chair. At dusk – look up. There is plenty of Door County sky for everyone.