Like opening presents on Christmas morning or eating turkey on Thanksgiving, the Kiefer fireworks show was an essential part of my Fourth of July celebration each year. Due to declines in the oil industry, our small town fireworks show was cancelled for 2016. Although we didn't have the celebration this year, our memories of past (and hopefully future) shows live on. Here are some select reasons why we all missed the Kiefer fireworks show this year.
1. Parking cars in strategic angles at 9:00 in the morning was completely understandable.
Each year, we would certainly utilize the multiple vehicles in our family. A big truck to squeeze in a small car next to was always a great plan. However, a great fireworks show attendee never reveals their places to park.
2. We always had our certain spots.
Ours was the old football field most of the time. Not a great deal of crowds or vehicles to block our view. Although, we have had remains of fireworks shower down on us before!
3. You knew or were somehow related to basically everyone there.
Through all the chaos and large crowds, it can seem like our little small town isn't as small as we thought. However, seeing so many familiar faces reinstates the idea that it's a small world and small town after all. Odds are, whoever you end up parking/sitting next to, you'll know them in some way.
4. Our once quiet town is overflowing with people for once!
If you were to drive by the park any other of the 364 days of the year, you would never guess that this town will literally be overflowing with people on the day of the fireworks show. The most people it gets any other time of year is with sporting events or when the train is at a dead stop on the tracks. Every once in awhile, it's great to see so much hustle and bustle in such a quiet place.
5. The finale wasn't for the weak.
Those who had attended before knew what to expect when it came to the grand finale. For a small town, this is no small farewell. Bring your shades and earplugs.
6. Choose your side of the train tracks wisely.
Upon arrival, everyone knew to park on the side of the tracks that you live on; otherwise, leaving the show will be a nightmare. To put it in perspective, the traffic on our backroads looks like highway traffic after the show is finished.
7. We hope to experience all of these things next year!
Our entire town definitely missed this wonderful event this year. We hope to have it back in 2017, better than ever!
