Localize Fireworks

Every year at this time I go out into our development to see fireworks. I run or walk out among the streets hunting for fireworks displays. In past year, I have seen some impressive displays from people of our neighborhood, and I expect to do the same tonight. A problem is that these displays in many cases are illegal. They can also be dangerous and all the authorities are telling us not to do it and instead go to a public display. Indeed they can be dangerous. You need to handle them as if it could go off at any instance a flame is nearby. They cannot be handled by children and require adult supervision. But I still go out and see these displays.

Of course I could go see one of the public fireworks displays in the community, but the joy of seeing these fireworks is diminished by the traffic jams and parking problems that come with these displays.

Indeed that is a major problem of these displays. People every year get into their car or SUV and drive to a public fireworks display, causing parking and traffic problems, when so many people jam into such a small space. They consume huge amounts of gasoline, especially if they get stuck in displays. They go to the parking lots of big box stores such as Wal-Mart to watch a few fireworks ascend about 15 degrees above the horizon from some place far away.

Peak oil tells us there may be a day soon when we will not be able to drive all over the place for the pleasure of seeing pyrotechnic stars blaze in the heavens. What will we do then? All these years I go in the neighborhood to see local fireworks display, I run or walk - a good way to get exercise in too. I urge all of us to try that this year. It's a way of localizing fireworks.

A lot of other things will need relocalizing as well: growing food, getting medicine and health care, buying consumer goods, and celebrating community with the people around you. Until that day happens, at least we can enjoy fireworks and not get into traffic and parking hassles; see them locally.