Blowing stuff up for freedom

Grease will drip and sizzle in barbecue grills as hamburgers and hotdogs are prepared outdoors. Flies will be shoed away from plates during outdoor meals. Little kids will run through sprinklers in their underwear to cool off. Adults will spill mustard and other condiments on their red, white, and blue outfits. Roads will be inconveniently closed to allow for parades to commence. As the sun sinks over the horizon and aloe vera is applied to sunburned skin, crowds will gather and turn their attention to the skies. Fireworks will explode and illuminate skies all around the country as America celebrates its 230th birthday this 4th of July. \nThe 4th can be a family affair in the backyard, grilling and setting off personal fireworks, or a shared community experience with professional firework displays.\nThose in the Bloomington area for this holiday will have plenty of recreational opportunities to celebrate American independence. A new law allows private citizens to set off fireworks on their own property as early as nine in the morning until 11 at night (midnight on holidays). Those interested in taking advantage of this new law must be at least 18 years old to purchase fireworks, and anyone age 16 or younger can set them off while under adult supervision.\nOne of the many places that fireworks can be purchased locally is Patriotic Fireworks located near Panera Bread on Bloomington's east side. Patriotic Fireworks will be open eight a.m. to midnight on the fourth. The store carries popular items such as four pack sparklers, Texas pop packets, artillery shells, and an item known as "The King". The store also offers a 10% discount to students, and has a buy one get three free offer on many fireworks.\nIndiana resident Rita Flynn recently visited the store with her children to stock up on fireworks. \n"It's easier for us to do our own," Flynn said. She purchased an assortment of fireworks for her 4th of July celebration. "Bottle rockets, red devils, a little bit of everything" Flynn said. Flynn said she would be back to the store again before the upcoming holiday and was excited about the new law which allows citizens to set off fireworks in their own backyards without a permit. Previously they were restricted to designated areas and a professional was supposed to set off personal fireworks.\nThe Bloomington Independence day parade will begin at three p.m. on the July 4th starting at 11th and College, go to the courthouse lawn downtown, and return to 11th street at four-fifteen p.m. The parade will feature local businesses, organizations, and politicians, among other things. Bloomington resident Jake Hyde has fond memories of the local parade. His grandfather used to show his antique cars in the parade. Hyde used to ride with his grandfather in the parade as a child. Some of the cars shown in the parade were a 1935 Chrysler Roadster, a 1930 Ford Crown Victoria, and a 1978 Chevrolet Corvette. Hyde wants to go to Lake Monroe for this 4th of July. \n"I want to go out on the lake. Go out on my uncle's boat or rent a boat," Hyde said. There will also be a concert featuring local bands on the courthouse lawn prior to the parade. Admission is free.\nFireworks will be set off next to the Indiana University football stadium (Memorial Stadium) this 4th of July. As always, the show will be free, and visitors can park in the stadium parking lot. Bloomington resident and Indiana University junior Tim Nock has been to the stadium to watch the fireworks show before, but prefers to buy his own. Nock feels it is more fun to buy his own because he gets to light them and do the work. \n"It's fun to watch them but it's more fun to actually do it," Nock said. "Once I've had a bottle rocket fight with friends. Never had an incident, they're actually quite safe. I usually take my fireworks apart and make them into one big firework. You have to tape like eight bottle rockets together and stick them in something to make it blow up."\nThis Friday (July 30th), the Bloomington Speedway will have its 21st annual Gigantic Ariel Fireworks Display along with its regularly scheduled races. General admission is ten dollars. Bloomington Resident and Indiana University junior, Nate Clark used to watch the fireworks display at the Bloomington Speedway from his front porch. Clark's parents live on Henderson St. across the road from the Bloomington Speedway. This year Clark's plans are different. \n"I'll probably go out on the lake, have a barbecue, hang out with my family and friends, watch some fireworks, and drink some beverages," Clark said. \nFirework enthusiasts can get their fill of fireworks the night before the holiday as well. On Monday July 3rd there will be a fireworks show at Lake Monroe. Visitors can go to the Fairfax State Recreation Area located at the south end of Fairfax rd. The Department of Natural Resources charges a four dollar admission to the park for in-state visitors, and five dollars for out-of-state visitors. Four Winds Resort and Marina is nearby and has a bar and restaurant that will reimburse visitors for their admissions fee with the purchase of either food or drink. Four Winds Resort and Marina also offer pontoon and double-decker boats for rent. The show will begin at dusk and last approximately 30 minutes. The event has drawn large crowds in previous years. Director of Sales and Marketing for Four Winds Resort and Marina, Michelle Smith suggests that those who plan on attending the event arrive a few hours early and have dinner there so that they can get a good spot.