Fireworks, Fireflies, and Friends: A 4th of July Show in Buena Vista, VA
I arrived 5 minutes before the show and easily found parking. After meeting up with friends, we quickly went back to the car for some cold water. We still made it back in time to claim the baseball dugout all to ourselves, just as the show began.
There were people everywhere of course; even in a small town fireworks bring a crowd, but plenty of space to spread out. Most people were both parked and sitting in chairs around the tennis courts and picnic table area. We had built-in seating in the dugout and looking through the chain link fence added a feeling of nostalgia for me. We also alternated walking a few feet into the Baseball Field to stand and take videos. If going with a group bring chairs and set up at home base or pitcher's mound for a great vantage point. Or many watched from their air conditioned cars or the bleachers.
I am pretty sure the fireworks were set off from near the double decker deck and playground, a beloved spot where many of us enjoy grabbing take-out or packing a picnic while socializing and relaxing, taking in the stunning mountain and vista views from an amazing vantage point overlooking Buena Vista.
The exit was surprisingly quick. It only took 3-4 minutes to reach the main road from my car, compared to the usual one minute. This made it one of the easiest exits I've experienced at a 4th of July fireworks show.
The show itself lasted around 18 minutes and was action packed the whole time. I hope someone can give the actual number but I would guess around 450 mortars total between a very consistent pace of "explosions" with an action packed nearly minute long grand finale. We're posting 4 videos to share the highlights:
- The last 11 seconds of the show
- A 23-second clip from the beginning, featuring a unique shimmering star effect
- My favorite: a clip where a firefly photobombs the video, as if to say, "I'm the original natural fireworks!"
- The grand finale, capturing most of the spectacular ending
All in all great night, kudos to the city of Buena Vista for a great show, good friends and of course thanks to never ending symphony of fireflies we have in Rockbridge County from spring to fall lighting up every night.
