Where is the best place to watch the fireworks?

This year we’ll be gathering with some friends and have opted to forgo the display at the river opting instead to have a big BBQ / block party with our own fireworks. A friend of mine lives on this dead end cul-de-sac and him and the two neighbors on each side of him have all agreed to pitch in for food, fireworks and adult beverages of course. We rented one of those bouncy houses for the kids and we’ve got a ton of fireworks. So we plan to have a great time without all the rude people and traffic this year.

I’ll tell you about the last couple of years we went to see Franks extravaganza. (the same thing happens each year, which is why I’m only listing 2, both the West side and the East side experience) And to tell you the truth, the experience just wasn’t worth the headache in my opinion, but one must always think of ones family in a situation like this.
In 06 we parked on the west side of the river off of Utah street. There are a number of vacant lots there, but you have to get there super early because they fill up fast. And since we got there super early, we were incredibly bored for at least three hours. Granted there’ s stuff to do down there, but there’ s not THAT much stuff to do. We found a great spot on the grass amongst all the duck poop and spread out out blanket. As the hours went by more and more people showed up, stepping on our things and being very rude. But it’s to be expected with that many people, so we didn’t let it get us down. Finally the fireworks started going off and although we thought we had a great spot, this huge tree blocked most of the show. By that time people were packed onto the greenbelt like sardines and there was nowhere else to move to get a better view. When it was over it took 40 minutes to get out of traffic and make it home.

Last year we parked on the East side of the Greenbelt over by the Post Office in the hopes of having a better experience both with the crowd and with the traffic. Not so much! Again, in order to get a good spot one must arrive at least 3-4 hours (and that’s cutting it close) ahead of time in order to pick out a good spot to sit. What amazes me is how many people will come early to set up their chairs, blankets and whatnot and then abandon them until the show starts. So you’ve got hundreds of empty seats and “reserved” spots of people that came hours ahead of us and staked a claim and then left so they wouldn’t need to hold said piece of real estate. This time we had a little better view of the fireworks, but the people were even more rude on this side of the river than the other side.
I don’t know, maybe it’s just me but I’m not a big fan of crowds like this to begin with. It just seems like the rudest people come out to events like this that are free to the public and most of them have absolutely no respect for those around them. Thinking we’d have an easier time with traffic being on the East side of the river was a big mistake. The traffic was twice as bad and it took well over an hour to get home. (we only live 6 miles from the greenbelt)

So this year we’re forgoing Franks Festivities and will enjoy our own! You can keep the crowds and the rude people. And really, ya seen one of Franks show’s you’ve seen them all. Each year is the exact same as the last. Don’t get me wrong, it’s mighty kind of ole Frank to put on a show for the city, but this year ours will be better. Better food, better company and better…..oh yeah…NO traffic!
But I hope all of you that go enjoy yourselves and have a wonderful 4th of July! And lets not forget what this day means. It’s got nothing to do with fireworks and hotdogs but a celebration of our country, our independence, and the freedoms we all should never EVER take for granted! Happy 4th Everyone!

i get notes from ISP, and this PRESS RELEASE was issued yesterday about parking, I’m sure we’ll see this on the local news and the paper too.

IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE
Region 6 Patrol, 1540 Foote Drive, Idaho Falls, ID 83402

For Immediate Release

4th of JULY MELALEUCA FREEDOM CELEBRATION TRAFFIC PLAN

Due to the large volume of pedestrian traffic mingling with vehicle traffic on and around John’s Hole Bridge during the annual Melaleuca Freedom celebration fireworks display there will be no parking on U.S. 20 before, during or after the fireworks on the grassy areas from Science Center Drive to Saturn Street on July 4, 2008.

This parking ban includes the interstate exits and entrances. “No Parking” areas will be clearly posted. Vehicles that are parked on the pavement or grass will be towed at the owner’s expense. The public is invited to put their lawn chairs and blankets on the grass area, but due to visual impairments caused from vehicles parked on the grass, no vehicle parking will be allowed again this year. This parking ban is for your families’ safety in an effort to keep the holiday safe and accident free.

Due to the large volume of pedestrian traffic mingling with vehicle traffic on and around John’s Hole Bridge during the annual Melaleuca Freedom celebration fireworks display there will be no parking on U.S. 20 before, during or after the fireworks on the grassy areas from Science Center Drive to Saturn Street on July 4, 2008.

After the Freedom Celebration Idaho State Police Troopers and Idaho Transportation Department traffic crews will be blocking exits from U.S. 20 onto Lindsay Boulevard and Riverside Drive southbound in an effort to break up traffic congestion as soon as possible. Vehicles wishing to travel east on U.S. 20 will be directed to the Science Center and the Lewisville Highway exits before being allowed to turn back into the residential areas of Idaho Falls. This parking ban includes the interstate exits and entrances.

This new traffic plan should make the holiday more enjoyable for you and your family by allowing a faster exit and safe driving from the 2008 Melaleuca Freedom Celebration.

Idaho State Police Troopers will also be working diligently to remove alcohol and drug-impaired drivers by implementing emphasis patrols in the area. If you drink during the event be prepared to call a cab or have a sober designated driver

– Sergeant Peterson

Whatever else you decide to do, make sure you visit the flag display at Liberty Field on the corner of W Broadway and Bellin. It never fails to move me. It is spectacular.

I think Cali is talking about this: http://www.thetitleofliberty.org/photos.html

Here is the link to information about it: http://www.thetitleofliberty.org/

And here is some good information about the fireworks show: http://www.freedomcelebration.com/faq.html

Thanks for the links Joe. There’s a woman I work with who was asking today if anyone knew of where to find more information regarding the festival and fireworks show, so this link will help to answer all her questions.
I also thought it was nice of Sgt Peterson to provide everyone with parking information and to remind us about the dangers of drinking and driving.
I hope everyone has a safe & happy 4th whatever your plans may be! :

I agree with Artiste”..seen one of Vander’s show you’ve seen em all. I admire the Salute to WW2 Vets but funny how Vietnam Era was skipped (who said Draft Dodger?) hmmm. But on the bright side the annual Meleleuca sales convention gets a good fireworks show. I like the Pocatello Fireworks Show better myself, its bigger I think and they call it the 4th of July Celebration. As for the above comment about Idaho Senators and Congressmen attending the Freedom Celebration…thats something to be real proud of just, keep Larry Craig away from the porta-potties. Just remember all those who gave their all for our freedom and have defended it over the years and raise a glass to them! (you just can’t do it along the greenbelt or in a city park).

I think everyone makes some good points here. And while our fireworks show may not be the biggest, it’s certainly “one of the biggest” this side of the Mississippi, according to the news this morning. And although they tell us each year that this years will be bigger than the last, the news did mention that they’ll have a number of firework shells that will go off that they haven’t had in the past, so that’s something our family will look forward to.
Others also make a good point that you should arrive early. This is a must!! Especially if you want to get a good seat. Like GuestHouse pointed it, I too think its extremely rude for people to rope off their own personal areas days before the show even starts. That should NOT be allowed and I have a mind to go along this evening and rip them all up out of the ground! I think it should be a first come first serve basis “on the day of the show”. And while I think it’s perfectly fine to set up some lawn chairs or blankets a few hours before the show starts, I think “roping off an area” is just plain rude and unaccepatable. Like CR67 pointed out, we also wait around until the crowds thin out before fighting the traffic. What’s better, sitting by the river and relaxing, or sitting in traffic wasting gas?
We plan on barbequeing with friends the day of the show and then piling in the Suburban and driving down between 7 or 8..The fireworks won’t go off until 10, but arriving any later than that and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a decent spot to view the display.
And while I think Pocatello puts on a very good show as well, why drive an hour to go down there when you can stick around here and enjoy ours? Not this cowboy!

Best of luck to all of those venturing down to the show and Happpy 4th of July to all!
The artiste made a very good point as well: lets all remember what this day is about and take a moment to honor those men and women who gave their lives fighting from the freedoms we have and sometimes take for granted today. They paid the ultimate price for you and I to be able to sit here and speak our minds. So lets all give them the recognition they deserve!

As far as I’m concerned no one should be allowed to stake out an area at any time unless they are prepared to personally stay there. If you want to stake it out at 9am so be it but you or someone better be there the whole time.

Personally I wish the parks and recs people would make a point of pulling any stakes they see left unattended. I noticed this morning that areas are already being staked off.

Watching the fireworks on TV is good enough for me.
I fought the crowds for years and finally realized it just isn’t worth it.

there are alot of those stakes and blankets floating by the falls area./duh- who would of thought?

“duh, who would have thought”?? I wouldn’t have thought 3 days before the fireworks show! I don’t think it’s right either. But, we’ve got a lot of selfish people out there, so what do you expect?

Here’s an idea. Parks and Rec could rope off areas in the prime location. They would then hand these spots out via lottery. Like the duck race everyone could buy chances which would make it fair for everyone, would stop the early roping off, and raise some money to boot.

Wow, a lottery for the good sites, raising money, too! I like that idea…

Actually we did that once. There were about 50 of us and it was across the river off Broadway. We did a huge barbeque with all the kids, lawn chairs, etc., and stayed to watch the fireworks. We started showing up about 5ish but another guy cordoned off the area the day before. It wasn’t all family, just mainly a lot of couples with their kids.