Bonfires and Fireworks, White Horse Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

I would say the odds are very long for all the following events: a full moon, clear skies, and a warm summer night, to happen on July 3rd. This is the evening of White Horse Beach's annual tradition of beach bonfires and fireworks. There are 46 states that permit the sale and use of fireworks by its citizens - liberal and progressive Massachusetts is NOT one of them. But the tradition continues anyway by its scofflaw citizens - remember the Boston Tea Party in 1773? we don't always take kindly to being told what to do. In any case, it is quite an annual spectacle. 

As dusk deepens, the first bonfires are lit. (The bonfires must have a permit - go figure).

The fireworks begin randomly, some here, some there, some behind you, some in front of you, even some right beside you.  One must pay attention. Mostly it all seems to work pretty okay but, I suspect the police and fire officials have a different perspective about this event.

There was live impromptu music, the Bucket Boys are shown above. Otherwise, revelers, some possibly under the influence of alcoholic spirits and some not, could be heard breaking into patriotic song.....

.....but mostly is was folks just hanging out and enjoying a perfect summer evening with friends and family. Teenage boys and girls hoping to meet other teenage girls and boys - typical beach behavior with the added spice of big fires and explosions in the sky.

The bonfires are always constructed in locations where they will be swallowed by the next rising tide.

And ah, the fireworks.....a pretty impressive display by regular folks. Try this link to Amy's blog in a few more days - she took some real photographs - not these point-and-shoot types. (By the way, if you think of coming next year - be forewarned that there is almost nowhere to park  a car if you don't live nearby).