Fireworks on July 3rd? That's Blasphemy!
By Jeff Moffitt
@moffittjc (118442)
Gainesville, Florida
July 4, 2017 8:52am CST
For decades (and probably as long as firework celebrations have been around), our city has celebrated America's Independence Day by shooting off fireworks on July 3rd. It just has always been that way. But every year, hundreds of people in our community complain loudly and emphatically that it is un-American to do so, and demand that the city change the fireworks celebration to the 4th.
But there is good reason why the fireworks are launched on the 3rd instead of the 4th. To clarify, our city is not the organization responsible for the fireworks show; the fireworks show is the responsibility of the major university here in town. And because all of the university employees are state workers, the 4th of July is a paid holiday for them. So, if the university were to shoot off fireworks on the 4th, they would have to pay all of their employees double-time to put on the event. Hardly seems like a good way to spend taxpayer dollars. So, therefore, the fireworks are launched on the 3rd.
But here's my thoughts on it. I like having fireworks on the 3rd, because I don't have to get up and go to work on the morning of the 4th! I can stay out late celebrating our nation's Independence without worrying about getting up early the next day. I can sleep in on the 4th. And, then when I wake up, I can spend the whole day celebrating, barbecuing, swimming, or whatever else I want to do, and then that night I can go to a neighboring city or town and watch fireworks AGAIN! It's a win-win for everyone...watch fireworks on the 3rd, and then watch fireworks again on the 4th! Who in their right mind would complain about that?
I liken the situation to Christmas. Christmas Day is on December 25th, but millions of people start celebrating Christmas on the 24th, Christmas Eve. Nobody seems to complain about that!
What are your thoughts? Should it matter if fireworks are launched on the 3rd, or should they strictly be relegated to the 4th?
27 people like this
28 responses
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
4 Jul 17
Around here the displays started Friday night - I don't think any town is having the tonight. I avoid fireworks so I don't care what day it happens.
5 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 Jul 17
Yeah, I have seen a lot of news stories about fireworks, parades and other July 4th events starting as early as last Friday. I can see that happening on years like this year where the holiday falls on a Tuesday. I think people who complain about the small details (like the date of the celebration) are missing the big point...we are celebrating our nation's birthday! How many times in our own lives have we started our own birthday celebration days or weeks before the actual day? haha
Interestingly, the technical birth of our country is on July 2nd, as that is the date Congress voted and declared that the Colonies were no longer colonies of England, but independent States. It wasn't until the 4th that Congress voted to accept the Declaration of Independence, although they effectively declared independence on the 2nd. And furthermore, the Declaration of Independence wasn't actually signed by all our founding fathers until August 2nd! So, in my opinion, we should have national holidays on July 2nd, July 4th, AND August 2nd! LOL
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 Jul 17
@Marty1 My daughter used to be terrified of fireworks, due to sensitive hearing. But now that she is a teenager, she has mostly outgrown that sensitivity enough where she can actually enjoy the fireworks. I always feel bad for our Veterans who are currently suffering from PTSD, or have suffered from it in the past, because the fireworks can trigger bad memories of combat. It's too bad nobody can figure out a way to have quieter fireworks displays! Most people love the sights, but cannot stand the sounds!
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Jul 17
@Marty1 When I'm out watching fireworks, the noise and the booms don't bother me so much. But when I'm at home and I can hear them going off outside, it kinda bothers me. I don't have PTSD or anything, but if it's bothering me and I'm a normal person, I can only imagine how it must sound to our vets who have been in a war.
@Courtlynn (66921)
• United States
4 Jul 17
No it shouldnt really matter as long as they go off and people celebrate.
Here on the Cape, there's over ten towns. And not each town does fireworks but those few that do, do them all on different nights. One on the 1st one on the 2nd one on the 4th and one on 6th.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 Jul 17
It makes perfect sense to me that if there are a bunch of nearby towns planning on fireworks shows, that they all get together and coordinate which nights each will shoot off fireworks. Then, they won't be competing against each other, and everyone can see several days worth of fireworks. Sounds like a great plan to me!
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (66921)
• United States
4 Jul 17
@moffittjc to me too. Plus not eberyone stays here for the 4th as lots go to boston.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 Jul 17
@Courtlynn That is true. A lot of people head off to the beach, or go on vacation, or visit nearby big cities for the holiday. I can imagine that Boston probably has a pretty good 4th of July celebration!
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
9 Jul 17
We had a couple of different displays this year. One was sponsored by a local lake as a fundraiser. It was held on the 3rd. Wish we had gone to that one because the Little Miss would have been able to sleep in on the 4th. But, I did have to work so she wouldn't have been able to sleep that late.
The second was held on the 4th and was sponsored by one of our local supermarkets. We did go to that one and enjoyed the display even though we didn't get the best spot for it. I had to work the next day so when we got home we went straight to bed. It was a little more difficult to wake sleeping beauty out of her slumber the next day. However, she still had that excited look to her eye when we talked about the fireworks.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
9 Jul 17
@moffittjc someone was shooting them off last night and we could hear the booms. She was so thrilled at that. Wanted to go see them. However it was not to happen.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Jul 17
I still remember how mesmerized I was by fireworks as a kid. I still have great memories from my childhood of watching various 4th of July fireworks, and other firework shows. One of the earliest I can remember was when the Atlanta Braves finished one of their spring training games in West Palm Beach, Florida. I can't remember what the occasion was for, but they had a big fireworks show after the game. I couldn't have been more than 4 or 5 years old, but I remember we got to go sit out on the baseball field after the game and watch the fireworks shoot off over our heads. Such a great memory for me! I hope Little Miss has some similar great memories of the fireworks!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Jul 17
@ElusiveButterfly Yeah, there was a couple of people in my neighborhood still shooting off fireworks last night. I guess that's to be expected when all the firework stands sell their leftover wares for 50% or 75% off. People buy them up like crazy, and then get the itch to go out and light 'em off!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458179)
• Switzerland
4 Jul 17
@moffittjc Many of our friends used to celebrate the 23 because the day after they left for winter skying vacations.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 Jul 17
@LadyDuck It's nice to have a little flexibility in how the holidays are celebrated. In those situations, the "holiday" is whenever you can get everyone in the family together to celebrate! Think about police officers and firefighters who are stuck working on the actual day of the holiday. Whenever they finally get off of their work shifts, they get together and celebrate the holiday with their family, even if it's several days after the actual day!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 Jul 17
Because I am divorced and have kids, my ex-wife and I have worked out a plan so we both get to share the excitement of Christmas with the kids. She has them on 23-24 December, and they celebrate their "Christmas morning" on December 24th. And then on the evening of Christmas Eve, the kids come to my house and we go to the Christmas Eve church service. And then the kids celebrate Christmas Day with me. At that point, we then go on our week-long family vacation to Disney World. Some years we'll go to Disney on Christmas Day, and on some years we'll go the day after. But it all works out great for us the way we do it. And luckily, my ex-wife and I are great friends, and she lives right down the street from me, so it is easy to get the kids back and forth!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 Jul 17
Happy 4th Dianne! Hope you have a great time today!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Jul 17
@DianneN I had too much fun. Just like I always do every year. It's going to catch up with me one of these days.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246838)
• United States
6 Jul 17
@moffittjc 
Until next year! Hope you enjoyed yourself!
Until next year! Hope you enjoyed yourself!1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (18923)
• United States
4 Jul 17
I think ours were doing early too because of it being on a weekday. But I think it's strange not to have it on the fourth. But it does make sense why to have it early.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 Jul 17
Have you ever celebrated your OWN birthday a day or two earlier than the actual date? I have. In fact, this years I celebrated the entire week leading up to my birthday. Nothing wrong with that, right?!?! I see no reason why we can't start celebrating our nation's birthday a little early! haha
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
4 Jul 17
it doesn't matter to me :)
Yesterday they had fireworks too! But I don't know who was the host. :) I wasn't prepared to see so we didn't go but it was thirty minutes long too!
2 people like this
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
4 Jul 17
@moffittjc Yes, I will ! I will go to the park 15 minutes prior. It is only a streetlight away. :)
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 Jul 17
@infatuatedbby That is so nice that the fireworks are so close to you! I only have to go a few blocks myself to see fireworks! Well, I mean the fireworks that were set off last night. The fireworks show tonight is in another town, so I would have to drive about 20 minutes to get there.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 Jul 17
Are you going to watch the fireworks tonight?
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
4 Jul 17
I don't mind when fireworks are done. =)
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
5 Jul 17
@moffittjc We saw some out our window. My husband is working so we didn't go anywhere.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Jul 17
@LovingMyBabies Gainesville shoots their fireworks off on the the 3rd, so I went to see that show. The small town of Alachua has an amazing fireworks show that they do on the 4th, so my plan was to go see that show, but I did a little too much day drinking and decided it was in my best interest not to drive anywhere. So I stayed home and chilled with my girlfriend.
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 Jul 17
Are you going to be watching the fireworks tonight? Jacksonville is nice, because depending on where you are, you can see several fireworks shows going off at the same time!
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
8 Jul 17
I think the 3rd would make more sense as you don't have to get up in the morning Jeff.
They light them up for quite a while before and after here.
They light them up for quite a while before and after here.2 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
9 Jul 17
@moffittjc Ah well, tis the fourth after all.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Jul 17
@TiarasOceanView Hey, any excuse for us Americans to get drunk and blow things up is a good reason to celebrate! haha
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Jul 17
Yeah, that's the biggest problem with the 4th of July...all the people who light up fireworks in the neighborhoods late into the night. Kind of hard to sleep with explosions going off every 30 seconds.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
4 Jul 17
lol In our town in Connecticut the display won't be for two weeks after the 4th, it is never on the 4th usually it is the weekend before or after the 4th so I am cool with it either way.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
4 Jul 17
@moffittjc Evidently we feel the same way in Connecticut lol
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 Jul 17
@BelleStarr Us Americans are always looking for an excuse to get drunk and blow things up! Happy Birthday 'Merica!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 Jul 17
I feel that when it comes to our nation's birthday, we should celebrate the entire month! haha
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
9 Jul 17
It sounds like the only way to do it logically, since double pay is involved for the 4th. I like the idea of going elsewhere to see another show too.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Jul 17
I love the arrangement, because I get to celebrate America's birthday twice every year! Couldn't ask for a better arrangement!
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
13 Jul 17
I feel that the more fireworks, the merrier. For people who are really into it, they can watch the fireworks in your town on the 3rd and then drive to a nearby town to watch them again on the 4th. I see no problem with it.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
13 Jul 17
Yay, you totally get it! These people need to stop complaining about which day the fireworks are on and instead celebrate the fact that we're making the holiday last longer by shooting fireworks off on different nights!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
13 Jul 17
@moffittjc - I agree!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Jul 17
I like hearing an outsider's opinion! And I happen to agree with you wholeheartedly as well!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325809)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Jul 17
@moffittjc There are so many big issues out there but some people I know will chuck a wobbly because they run out of toilet paper. 
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Jul 17
@JudyEv I've never heard the expression "chuck a wobbly," but I think I understand what you're saying! Yes, there are bigger issues out there in the world to worry about than running out of toilet paper! haha
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Jul 17
I agree! We are ushering in the big holiday by kicking off the celebrations early! Who in their right mind would have a problem starting the party early? haha
1 person likes this
@Elizaby (6901)
• Pensacola, Florida
9 Jul 17
@moffittjc Pensacola has celebrated the whole week with this week being called Red White and Blues week.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (169966)
• United States
4 Jul 17
I think this area had their main fireworks celeb on Saturday. I am not sure why they don't do it on the 4th.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 Jul 17
This year especially, it made sense to me that a lot of communities would have their celebrations over the weekend. It's hard when a holiday falls in the middle of the week.
@FourWalls (62145)
• United States
4 Jul 17
I've had the walls and the fillings in my teeth shaken with fireworks in the neighborhood since the last week in June.
As for the actual holiday or not, I can understand it when we have the 4th fall on a day like Tuesday, where a lot of people didn't work on Monday. If people are traveling today to get home to go back to work tomorrow then it's understandable that they'd want fireworks with their family or friends that they're visiting. And hey, some baseball teams have fireworks every Friday night!
One of the nicest fireworks displays I ever saw was during boot camp in Orlando. The fireworks went out over a lake, and the reflection was superb. Of course, it was also a break from the rigors of boot camp....
Have a good holiday!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 Jul 17
Disney World sets off amazing fireworks shows every night of the year, so people living in Orlando close to the theme park can enjoy fireworks every single day of the year! haha
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48445)
• Canada
4 Jul 17
I cannot imagine people complaining about the difference of a few hours as to when a fireworks display will occur.
I agree with your theory, that the celebrations can be spread out to get the most out of the holiday.
I hope that you enjoyed the fireworks.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 Jul 17
I had a great time watching fireworks last night! I was planning on going out and watching the fireworks again tonight, but sadly I drank too much at the local craft brewery today and don't want to chance driving tonight. But that's okay, since I have to be up at 4:00am for work tomorrow anyway!
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (79731)
• United States
4 Jul 17
I've been listening to fireworks since the weekend began but our town will be doing them tonight. I wouldn't object to them being on the 3rd for all the reasons you mentioned.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 Jul 17
I am fine either way, but prefer the 3rd because I can sleep in on the 4th. I would love to go see the fireworks tonight, but it would make it awfully hard to get up at 4:00am for work tomorrow morning!
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
5 Jul 17
I used to do that, each surrounding city ha different nght, one year I got to watch fireworks 4 nights!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Jul 17
I always loved living on the beach in south Florida as a kid, because all the cities up and down the coast would shoot off fireworks. My dad would take us out in the boat, and we'd anchor just off the coast. From the vantage point of the water, we could look up and down the coast and see about 10 different fireworks shows!
@thislittlepennyearns (58140)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
4 Jul 17
I think in a lot of people's minds Christmas is a much bigger deal than fourth of july, therefor it's all fine and dandy for people to start celebrating it early- sometimes even earlier than the day before. BUT I do get where you are coming from.
I think a lot of it depends on where you live. We are out in the country and there have been fireworks since Friday night. They can get away with it a little more because there isn't a lot of neighbors/city stuff around us. You have to go eighteen miles in either direction to get to a "city".
I don't think it really matters, as long as they are respectful of neighbors.
Now on the bigger scale, like a whole city doing it- I don't think it really matters, especially if that is tradition now.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 Jul 17
I think it also depends on when the holiday falls each year. With the 4th being on a Tuesday this year, I completely understand people (and communities) starting their celebrations on the Friday before, and continuing through the weekend. Besides, us Americans are always looking for an excuse to party and blow things up! haha
Happy 4th of July April!!!! Hope you have a great holiday!
