I found this interesting Fourth of July historical fact at Wikipedia:
In 1777, British officers noted the firing of 13 guns, once at morning and again as evening fell, on July 4 in Bristol, Rhode Island.
I think it’s fair to say Idaho Falls celebrates the Fourth of July more than most cities with our parade, military plane flyovers, park festivities, and the world famous fireworks show (sponsored by Melaleuca).
Wouldn’t it be that much more interesting to celebrate this piece of history and have thirteen guns fired at dawn and at dusk somewhere in Idaho Falls on the Fourth of July? Obviously the dusk firing would be best to kick off the fireworks show, so the firing could be done at the greenbelt. It would be logical to fire the morning round off at the same location.
It would be difficult to build a temporary firing range on the greenbelt amongst the 100,000+ visitors for the fireworks. I think the best and safest solution to conduct a thirteen-gun firing range would be out on Keefer Island. The range master (is that the term?) would call out commands to open the range for firing, to give permission to commence firing, and to close the range for firing. I think the thirteen rounds should be fired consecutively rather than all at once, with each round being fired about two seconds apart for greatest impact.
Thirteen people could be specially selected to fire one round each. We could invite a local veteran from each war, celebrated police officers and National Guardsmen, local heroes over the year (like saving drowning or choking victims), our Idaho Falls mayor, and of course the fireworks benefactor, Frank Vandersloot. Since I suggested the idea, I would like to fire one round the first year.
This kind of event would make for an interesting tradition, opening and closing out the Idaho Falls patriotic festivities, and annually re-asserts our regional commitment to gun-ownership freedoms.
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Gato got runned over by Marcus many moons ago. Be ye daft, 2486? 
Let's have a new poll, alright, Joe?
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Can we?
Can we?
Can we?
If we cannot I think folks should start the morning off by lighting exactly 13 firecrackers.
Not to rain on your parade or take away from a great idea that you posted, but I would hardly call the fireworks show here “world famous”. I’m sure we can all agree that it’s nice that Frank V puts up his own money for the show each year, (can we say “write off”?) but I must say, its really nothing spectacular. I’ve been to 4th of July celebrations all over this country and to tell you the truth, there’s nothing world famous about it. I guess for a small town, it’s not bad. I just wouldn’t go so far as to call it world famous. Last year was my first 4th here and maybe I was expecting too much from all the hype I heard leading up to it, or perhaps it just wasn’t what I was used to experiencing over the years. I just remember leaving last year and saying “wow, was that it”?
Personally I think the city could contribute a little bit more to the show and to the festivities at the greenbelt. I just don’t think it should be left up to just one individual or corporation to sponsor it so they can take all the credit and/or be limited with the funds he wants to put up each year. I mean c’mon, there’s just so much more that could make it really good. If the city can’t afford to put in any money towards a 4th of July celebration, then I say we get some more sponsors involved and get this celebration up to par with the rest of the country. But this is just my opinion. I’m sure for most people in IF it’s an incredible event that they look foward to all year. I just think it could be so much better, especially having such a great location as the greenbelt.
Regardless…I really like your idea Joe. Sounds great.
hey guess what… pay attention and you will find that a big Festival on the Falls is going to take place this 4th. It is put on by the Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce and will be on Memorial Drive. There will be a big tent with entertainment, along with numerous food vendors, craft and business tents, big air-filled jumpers for kids, and more…
If you are a newbie it would behoove you to keep humble comments about our fireworks, remember your manners and don’t make fun of the locals and their traditions.
Keep watching the news and papers, the advertising will begin real soon, if it hasn’t already!
cooooooool