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

White Horse Beach enjoyed its regular annual fireworks and bonfire celebration on July 3rd. We lucked out with the approach of Hurricane Arthur since it didn't arrive here until the morning of the 4th. In the above image, as the skies darkened, the first random bursts of fireworks began and the bonfires were set ablaze.

There is no organized program that is followed - folks randomly set off whatever and whenever they want along the two mile long stretch of White Horse and Priscilla Beaches.

This year's tide was outgoing so the bonfires were able to rage before the incoming tide would douse them. Some years, the tide is high and packs everyone and their fireworks and bonfires onto the narrow  strip of sand above the water line.

Although the fireworks aren't controlled by the authorities, the bonfires are regulated by permit from the town. 

It was a very windy evening, but no rain fell - until the next day, when Hurricane Arthur passed by off shore..........

.....and the rain came down in buckets along with 30-40 knot winds.  This weather radar image above shows the deluge over southeastern New England. Torrential rains and strong winds were the hallmarks of this year's Independence Day.

There was so much rain that the town of Plymouth wisely postponed the annual parade and fireworks until the 12th. My backyard rain gauge recorded 6 inches of rain in about 24 hours! I mostly stayed inside and kept dry, wimp that I am.