The Linda Letters by Gabriel O'Sullivan: Best fireworks in the country

05 July 2013

681

R. Linda:

Well, the heat didn't stay away, but the thunderstorms did. So it was off to Boston proper for the best fireworks in the country! And this year they were even better (if that's possible) than before. We were invited by a friend who is a big deal in one of the companies that overlook the Charles River to sit in air-conditioned splendour to watch the show. This we did after a sumptuous dinner at Legal Seafood.

We had walked over to the Hat-Shell after dinner, where the Boston Pops were already belting out patriotic favourites. About the time we got there, Officer Richard Donohue was stepping up on stage to lead Keith Lockheart's Boston Pops Orchestra to the merry Irish music of the Dropkick Murphys, Shipping Up To Boston. What a lot of fun it was. There was plenty of Irish dancing going on, and we all joined in.

We decided to get to the air conditioning, though the heat had dissipated enough it wasn't uncomfortable being outside. But who could refuse a view overlooking the river! So off we went, only to find when we got up to the top floor, there were a few others with the very same idea. Joseph, being a big shot, could commandeer seating, but we let the wives and kiddos have the seats, and we opted to stand, allowing the other ladies about the place to have the seats. As time drew near to the fireworks, we had a crowd up there. I decided to leave for the river and wind around behind the Hat-Shell, where the view would be nothing short of fabulous. I left Tonya with one camera; I took the other, and off I went with another friend who had joined us, Tommy Donovan.

So here are some shots of the spectacular show to share with you. And hopefully, me video will load from my mobile phone. I have to put it in two parts (it be the finale) because I inadvertently hit the button before it was over. SIGH. But all is not lost the music can be heard on the video at least!