Best no muss, no fuss family 4th fireworks?
Growing up only a few miles from Stone Mountain Park, we were able to watch the mountain’s fireworks every year from our driveway. Before the big show started, the neighborhood kids would shoot off bottle rockets from the cul-de-sac and run around with sparklers. We’d eat watermelon and lemonade and visit with our neighbors from down the street. We never had to get involved with traffic, lines or crowds. It was pure fun with absolutely no inconvenience.
Sadly the trees in my parent’s yard have grown too tall to view the fireworks but now I’m spoiled by my lovely childhood fourth of July experiences. I’m unwilling to wait in lines, deal with drunk people or invest hours in guarding a spot to view fireworks so we’ve had to search each year for no muss, no fuss easy Independence Day celebrations.
For two years we met our friends in the Wal-Mart parking lot near Stone Mountain. It wasn’t the same as our neighborhood celebrations, but you didn’t have to arrive hours before or deal with any big crowds. Plus it was easy to escape once the show was over.
Last year when I was at the hospital with my brother in the ICU, Michael took the kids down to his office on the 24th floor of a building with a perfect view of the fireworks in Centennial Park. They sat in the AC eating Chick-Fil-A and popcorn. He didn’t have to worry about the fireworks being too loud for our then 2-year-old, plus he couldn’t lose her in a crowd. They got a surprise treat in that they could see fireworks further off in the distance as well. It turned out to be a perfect no fuss Fourth.
We have a new option this year: A friend has just bought a house in Brookhaven and he’s pretty sure he can see the Lenox Square fireworks from his backyard. So that could work out too.
What are you looking for in a family 4th of July celebration? Where are your favorite no muss, no fuss spots to see fireworks? (Tell us specific neighborhoods, parking lots, parks, intersections where you can view a good show without getting immersed in traffic. Kind of like what we did we the Christmas lights last year!)
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36 comments Add your comment
motherjanegoose
July 2nd, 2010
8:11 am
O.K….I know this does sound whiny BUT I am with you on the lines and putting up with drunk and rude people to see fireworks.
We live 3 miles from the MOG, where they have a big fireworks show. I HATE going.
It takes us at least 1 hour to drive home due to everyone else being there and the traffic is CRAZY.
BUT if we all tell the best low key places…they will no longer be that way. Looking at Christmas lights can take weeks but this is one or maybe 2 nights.
We can SORT OF see the fireworks right in our front yard from the Gwinnett Braves field but we have to stand on tippy toe and crane our necks…lol.
My best fireworks times were at my husband’s sister’s house in Denver, where we actually just sat on her back porch and could see the fireworks towards the mountains. It was WONDERFUL! My niece and nephew came here one year and they were amazed at all the trouble we had to go to to watch fireworks and complained about the long car wait to get home…”we never do this at home…”
We also were in Marco Island 2 years ago and walked ( across the street) from our condo to the Marriott, where we had dinner ( a tribute to USA buffet…yum) and then walked right out to the beach to see the fireworks…that was really fun too!
The funniest time was when we booked a room at the Casino in Cherokee NC , in hopes to enjoy a low key 4th with no traffic. OOPS…we were told the closet show was a 30 minute drive. I was furious and it was no one’s fault. On top of that, they assigned us a room with a trailer park view….yuck.
We sat in bed and watched the fireworks on TV and I was really disgusted UNTIL…we saw some flashes through our curtains and VOILA…THE TRAILER PARK WAS HAVING THEIR OWN FIREWORKS SHOW. We enjoyed it right from the comfort of our air conditioned room. It was great!
Happy 4th to everyone! Remember what makes America great: regular people who are willing to WORK hard to follow and accomplish their dreams. When folks quit wanting to work hard and quit having dreams, our country will perhaps lose it’s steam.
conniekay
July 2nd, 2010
8:24 am
MJG – as a former teacher, you should know the difference between it’s and its. That would be “our country will perhaps lose its steam.” I’m here for you if you need a refresher on grammar!
DB
July 2nd, 2010
8:36 am
We go to a small shopping center a little ways away from Lenox, and we can see the Lenox fireworks perfectly. We get there about 9:00, and when it’s over, we hop in the car and are home in 10 minutes, no traffic, no drunks, no crowds. And if you think I’m telling you where it is on a public blog, you’re crazy!
For several years, we had friends who had a penthouse with a large patio who threw a 4th of July party that allowed us to see Lenox, Stone Mountain, Centennial, etc. It looked like Atlanta was being bombed!! So much fun, but alas, they moved. :-(
We ran the Peachtree one year, and then hoped in the car and drove straight to Washington DC and saw the fireworks on the Mall from one of the bridges. That was amazing.
My husband said that one of the best firework displays he ever saw was from ABOVE the fireworks as his plane was approaching New York City around 9 pm on the 4th of July. He said that looking down on the fireworks up and down the Hudson was absolutely unforgettable.
FCM
July 2nd, 2010
8:51 am
My parents house everyone has been there a few hours/drinks…..OOOOOHHHHHHH! You mean a different kind of fireworks don’t you?
;)
Happy 4th everyone!
Peachy
July 2nd, 2010
8:52 am
@conniekay – this is a blog, not a term paper. We were just talking about this yesterday…no need for corrections like that please. Let’s all try and be friends. Or if you have to be corrective at least produce something of substance having to do with the topic along with your snark.
I live in Brookhaven and can see Lenox from my back yard. TWG I was just like you growing up in Gwinnett, we could see the Stone Mountain ones from our deck. I guess I am lucky! But, we are leaving for Hilton Head in the morning so I will be seeing fireworks over the ocean. I am sure my husband and brother in law will spend a stupid amount of money on fire works and let the “big kids” shoot them off on the beach (with supervision of course) and my Mom and Sister and I will sit on the porch and watch their show with the ocean in the back ground. So excited!
Happy 4th everyone! Talk to ya again on the 12th, I am “unplugging” next week on vaca!
motherjanegoose
July 2nd, 2010
9:02 am
@ connie…thanks, I did recognize its as a possessive pronoun but forgot that you do not use an apostrophe when you are using a possessive pronoun. I can always use a refresher.
I forget a lot of things from my college grammar classes, as I rarely used them in Kindergarten. I always tell my clients….”you will pay me to talk and not type, so if you see crazy typos, that is not what you are paying me for.” In case you want to know ( not) I type fairly quickly with 3 fingers on each hand. I do not even use the correct position….GASP! I do know about CAPS LOCK….:)
Honestly, some of the southern terms I have now acquired, are seeping into my vocabulary. When I was in Montana. they were often puzzled at what I was trying to say. One lady came up to me and said, “It felt like home to me…I went to HS in Chamblee.” We laughed together! The folks in Texas ( 3 days later) were fine with it!
OOOPS DB…watch out for “hoped in the car…should that be hopped?” Hugs to you! Have a super weekend and I will catch up with you in a few weeks…if we can.
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newblogger
July 2nd, 2010
9:24 am
I’ve been in Peachtree City for 16 years and never get tired of the 4th festivities. The parade is always fun, there are things to do at the lake all day and there are so many places around town to park the golfcart (or car) and watch the fireworks. We seem to get more and more people every year so I guess news spreads and a lot of people around PTC come to celebrate. Never seen anyone “too” drunk, police officers visible all over town and the traffic jam only lasts a few minutes. Happy 4th everyone!
JATL
July 2nd, 2010
9:28 am
@DB -I’ve gotten to see fireworks from above on a plane as well, and it’s REALLY cool! I would love to replicate that experience. Another amazing one (and probably doable if you want) -one NYE in the 90s, we did the Sundial Restaurant/Peachtree Plaza NYE thing, and when they shot the fireworks off from Underground, they literally flew up and exploded in our faces! They looked like they were coming right at us! It was the coolest.
Thanks for posting this TWG. I’m trying to decide where to haul my kids and father (it’s also his birthday), hubby and possibly my aunt and uncle. I REFUSE to deal w/ the crowds, so I’m trying to figure out a good place on a hill to park and view the ones downtown. We live in the Grant Park area, and depending on where we’ve been living at any given time can often see Braves fireworks or Centennial Park fireworks. However, trees get in the way a lot of the time. We may just drive over to Decatur and park away from the square to watch theirs. I’m thinking if my husband’s office downtown could possibly offer a good view, but I don’t think it’s arranged well for it.
Kathy
July 2nd, 2010
9:36 am
We went to the MOG last year and it took us an hour and a half to get home (a drive of about 6 miles). Won’t be doing that again! My brother-in-law and I are running the Peachtree (my 6th, his very 1st!). No plans for fire works this year. Surely someone will be shooting them off in the neighborhood.
MJG…..I’m going to your favorite place to carbo load on Saturday night! : ) I’ll have some bread for you!
motherjanegoose
July 2nd, 2010
9:42 am
@kathy…, it is my favorite ITALIAN place and I actually love the ziti ( sp?) and salad too…have fun! DB, we have been there in Norcross!
PhotoMomof4
July 2nd, 2010
9:47 am
Oh, TWG, you are completely bringing back memories from childhood for me too. It was so cool to sit in our backyard and see them at Stone Mountain. Much better than the years I was working there and had to work security. A 16-18 year old working security? What were they thinking?
Well, the kids will all be away this 4th so we’ll sit on our deck in the mountains and watch the neighbors in the subdivision. It is always a competition that is not to be missed.
Theresa Walsh Giarrusso
July 2nd, 2010
11:13 am
Peachy — we did Hilton Head a few years back too — I’m trying to remember if it was just random fireworks or actual 4th of July fireworks. We parked at the mall and then walked over to where they were shooting them off over the water — can’t remember which it was – it was nice though — and if you were just willing to take a left out of the mall instead of a right then there were no traffic issues. we just turned around further down the street.
Tiger Ochocinco Mellencamp
July 2nd, 2010
11:30 am
@conniekay…I to hate too see all the grammatical errors hear. Its like they’re is definately a bunch of folks hear whom never went to school. Supposebly, this blog attracts smarter folks. Irregardless, I still have fun reading it.
motherjanegoose
July 2nd, 2010
11:40 am
Back atcha Tiger…thanks and enjoy those Colorado fireworks for me o.k.?
Tiger Ochocinco Mellencamp
July 2nd, 2010
11:48 am
@mjg….fireworks are illegal here for us. There are a couple of professional organizations that put them on, but sometimes they get cancelled due to the risk of starting forest fires. The price we pay for living in the most awesome state ever. ;-) and people who don’t agree with my awesome statement need to go back to “awesome school”.
Have a great weekend all.
RJ
July 2nd, 2010
11:54 am
I grew up near Six Flags and we could always see their fireworks. Actually when I was growing up they did fireworks every weekend, so I saw them often. A few years ago we’d go to wait new Evander Holyfields houses and watch his. It was always nice and we met some really nice people. This year we’re headed to Jacksonville to do something different. The kids don’t know yet so they’re gonna be surprised!
Have a great 4th everyone!
RJ
July 2nd, 2010
11:55 am
ooops…new should’ve been near
motherjanegoose
July 2nd, 2010
11:56 am
@ tiger…we watched them at the park and it was probably 15 years ago.
We were also in Woodland Park the year they had terrible fires and saw the volunteer firefighters…a sight for sure!
IF I had to leave GA, CO would be right at the top of the list. We had dinner with friends last week and 2 couples just got back from CO…they loved it!
My 18 y/o daughter just read your comment and said, ” he must be REALLY smart to be able to figure out how to write something that stupid ( with the errors) and make it work out and make sense, related to what was written about you…” Your compliment for the day…:).
Oh, hail, MJG...
July 2nd, 2010
12:34 pm
Enyboby kan wryte bad grammer an made it seem korrect. Tyger gust thouht of it furst and seen how conniekay got all upity, sew now we all has two make it write when we right on this cite.
And...
July 2nd, 2010
12:35 pm
…now we know why the English language is so hard to learn and master for those not from this country…
Also...
July 2nd, 2010
12:37 pm
…I am not saying that Tiger is not smart – anyone who passes the CPA exam has to be quite bright…
Stephanie
July 2nd, 2010
12:38 pm
We also could see the Stone Mountain fireworks from our driveway growing up! I have the same memories of running around with sparklers with the neighbor kids and then watching the fireworks all together!Same story- now the trees are too high to see them from their driveway.
We will be going to a friends house where they set off their own fireworks in their cul-de-sac.
motherjanegoose
July 2nd, 2010
12:39 pm
@ oh…lol…Tiger’s is more like looking at a kid’s I SPY book. Some folks would not even realize there is any problem with it! Kinda like folks, in the south, who try to use a hammer and nails to hang a pitcher. Yours is a train wreck but thanks for your help anyway. It did make me laugh!
lakerat
July 2nd, 2010
12:51 pm
I grew up in Stone Mountain, too, and we always watched the fireworks at the park from the Hugh Howell Rd exit, always making sure we were parked facing the mountain so that we could make a quick exit to the Stone Mountain Freeway heading west toward downtown – being inside the park was, and still is, a big no-no due to the terrible traffic.
My family and I have been fortunate see 4th of July fireworks in many states – the best was watching them set of on two barges in San Francisco Bay. We are also fortunate now when watching them at Lake Lanier Islands from out dock – we don’t have to drive anywhere!
FCM
July 2nd, 2010
1:21 pm
@MJG–you know I luv ya (most of the time) but I have to tell you even we “Southerns” aren’t likely to use a hammer and nails to hang a pitcher…it is busy in the fridge holding the sweet tea! We might to a picture though. ;) (nauance/tone/facial is that I am teasing you)
motherjanegoose
July 2nd, 2010
1:55 pm
@ FCM…you illustrate my point exactly because I have seen it in writing from southerners when they are referring to something they look at while mentioning something that holds a beverage.
As in…
“I like the pitchers you used when you sang the song with the children…they were really cute!”
It is fascinating to hear and see what folks tell me and write me on their comments!
One of my favorite confusing comments on the slips I use for my evaluations;
Q: How long have you been teaching?
A: M-F about 6 hours per day
I MEAN…HOW MANY YEARS….HELLO?
This one does make sense:
It is rather difficult for me to make any comment, other than you did an excellent job. I have taught for 45 years…27 of them in Kdg. I also have a doctorate in education. Keep up the good work!
( yes, I keep the actual comments in a file to send to prospective clients)
Tiger Ochocinco Mellencamp
July 2nd, 2010
1:59 pm
@MJG….tell your daughter I find her to be and EXCELLENT judge of character!
@oh…..you hit the nail on the head with my point…..calling MJG out on “its” and “it’s” is a little ticky-tack for my tastes.
I think we all make the typos trying to get our thoughts through our fingers as quickly as we’re thinking them.
I know what I need to work on for myself! It’s my constant use of exclamation points! I mean, really, sometime I go back and read what I’ve written! And some of my statements are just not that urgent! I don’t know why I do it! Some kind of compulsion I guess! I even take it an extra mile and combine punctuation! Do I really need to emphasize my questions like that?!? Do I need help?!?
FCM
July 2nd, 2010
2:21 pm
Tiger is your Quarter End that slow today darlin’? YOUR CRACKING ME UP!!!!
Tiger Ochocinco Mellencamp
July 2nd, 2010
2:40 pm
@FCM…wish it was a quarter end…we’re on our fiscal year end….We’re not slow, I’m just and outstanding delegator!!!
there I go with those exclamation points again.
Tiger Ochocinco Mellencamp
July 2nd, 2010
2:44 pm
from huffington post denver:
Colorado was determined to be the fittest state in the nation by an annual report produced by the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
The study, titled “F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America’s Future 2010″, calculated the state’s adult obesity rate to be around 19.1 percent, making Colorado the only state to have an obesity rate of under under 20%
Woohoo…YAY Colorado!!!! BOOOOO…all the other states!!!
motherjanegoose
July 2nd, 2010
3:05 pm
@ tiger…no way we ( in GA) will ever top that because we like our collard greens, grits, sweet tea, fried chicken/okra, biscuits with butter and it is usually too DANG hot to exercise outside long from May until October! Although today is really pleasant. I AM guilty of not belonging to the fit for life club.
Kudos to your lovely state.
Thanks all for a friendly banter today! I feel honored to live in a free country where we can make friends ( here) with folks we do not even know and take time to meet the ones who will/can actually do it! GRR to those who are cranky and cannot even hang out here without making a jab….:)
Thanks to T for keeping us all together…most of the time…ha!
HB
July 2nd, 2010
6:55 pm
It’s not exactly low key, but I loved going to see the Braves on the 4th. They put on a great fireworks show after and you can see Centennial Park and Lenox’s shows in the distance. There are crowds and traffic (if you don’t go MARTA — if you can park on the E-W line, the trains aren’t even that crowded, just comfortably full), but no more than usual for games.
deidre_NC
July 3rd, 2010
8:32 am
ya’ll are so danged funny….i hope everyone has a wonderful and safe 4th of july! let the fireworks begin…(well not til dark :)
JJ
July 3rd, 2010
10:49 am
I have a dog that absolutely FREAKS out during fireworks. The neighbors all shoot them off and my dog just goes nuts. She will run and bark and run and bark and run and bark for HOURS. She is older now, so I worry about her having a heart attack.
Needless to say, I don’t go anywhere for the fireworks, and am pretty much housebound for several nights. I have to stay home with the dog. I usually drug her up with Doggie Zanax, but that doesn’t really help out much. She fights it and just goes crazy. And because she is going crazy, the younger dog feeds on it, and it’s twice as much barking and running.
There’s also a good bit of red wine involved too…LOL
HAPPY 4th OF JULY EVERYONE!!!! Be safe.
DavidS
July 4th, 2010
10:21 am
Here’s a thought. Why not sit down with your family and actually READ the Declaration of Independence. Have everyone take turns reading a bit and then discuss what it written. Talk about the historical context and talk about how the thoughts put forth in that document have serious implications for today. Especially focus on the part about how government’s derive their existence from the consent of the governed and how when they fail to live up to their promise of protecting rights they should be abolished. Talk about how the kind sent swarms of agents all over the colonies to take away freedoms and steal the income and livlihood of the colonist and how those same things are going on today.
Your kids are never going to learn the true meaning of the Declaration of Independence in their government schoolrooms because the current government doesn’t want them knowing the true principles this country was founded on or how far from that mark we have allowed the government to stray.
The 4th isn’t about beer (which you can’t buy today in GA anyway because our legislature doesn’t believe in freedom), hot dogs, hamburgers, or fireworks. It is a celebration of a powerful secessionist spirit that drove 58 men to pledge their lives and their freedom to establish an environment where 13 independent colonies could thrive with their own independence and without an overarching, oppressive central government telling them what to do.
Enjoy the 4th, and celebrate and encourage the spirit of liberty again.