A Midwestern Independence Day

At Innsbrook, the Fourth of July brings to mind a hodge-podge of summer images: little fingers sticky and stained red from popsicles, the smell of corn on the cob and barbecue, the tang of lemonade and the hazy afternoon sunlight of a hot and humid Missouri day. And fireworks. Lots and lots of fireworks.

Around the Midwest, from small town municipal shows to grand riverfront displays to snakes and sparklers, the acrid smell of sulfur floats on the hazy air and the pop and whistle of backyard Black Cats and bottle rockets whip the neighborhood dogs into a frenzy. Weeks prior to the big day, red and white striped tents start popping up on busy intersections and in supermarket parking lots. Twenty dollars for cherry bombs? Why not? Five hundred dollars for the big mortars? Sure; the Fourth of July only comes once a year. Cities and counties (and Innsbrook) start planning fireworks shows months in advance, and there’s always someone on staff who’s up to date on the latest firecracker tech—from multi-colored sparkling explosions that trail streams of sparks like a massive weeping willow tree in the sky, to the muted thump deep in your chest like the kick of a bass drum before the deafening boom of a particularly potent mortar.

Crowds gather before the show to get prime viewing spots, waiting for hours in the muggy July air for the spectacle to begin. We ooh and aah and cheer for our favorite combinations—red, white and blue blooming balls of twinkling light, green and purple crackling starbursts. In their laps, captivated mothers hold toddlers clutching mini American flags and staring with open mouths at the booming, glittering night sky. The young and old alike feel a swell of pride in their chests, expanding with each colorful rocket. Because on this night, the Fourth of July, we are all Americans sharing the ultimate patriotic experience—a Midwestern Independence Day at the Innsbrook Fireworks Show.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of a breathtaking fireworks extravaganza in celebration of Independence Day at Innsbrook on Saturday, July 6.