Heat or Storms Could Cause Cancellation of Decatur’s July 4th Events
Decatur Metro | July 3, 2012Decatur’s Catherine Lee writes on The Decatur Minute…
Due to extreme weather conditions (heat and possible thunder storms), please be advised that the City of Decatur will be monitoring the temperatures on Wednesday, July 4th and may decide, in the interest of public safety, to cancel some or all of the planned holiday events including the Pied Piper Parade, the Concert on the Community Bandstand, and the fireworks.
Updates will be made on this blog and we recommend that you check the site often for timely reports and possible schedule changes.
Let’s hope we don’t have a repeat of last year…
since 4th of July heat is typically sticky, clammy, sweaty, and otherwise odious, i make a motion that we permanently celebrate our country’s independence in September, when autumn’s cool breezes foster the kind of pleasant and comfortable contemplation of the rockets’ red glare that the occasion deserves.
+1
I can see our blanket, which is, I believe, still wet from the fourth last year.
+1 for September.
It’s going to be a perfect Summer evening for fireworks.
Hopefully this and the many announcements that are certain to come over the next 24 hours will prevent all the whining from last year – “Are we having fireworks or not?” “Where is the news?” “What ever will I do?”
To me it always seemed fairly simple: Walk outside. Raining? Yes. Fireworks will probably not happen. Stopped raining? Hmmm. Maybe fireworks will happen. Raining again? Yep, fireworks definitely not happening.
Oh, I think you did an outstanding job last year. I guess what I was really trying to say is that we shouldn’t always rely on the City, Decatur Metro, anything for that matter, to tell us what we can figure out ourselves. 50 years ago people would walk outside and look at the sky to make a decision. Now we seem to have to consult six different web sites to make a decision that should really only take 15 seconds.
The number of people who rely solely on their iPhones is really beginning to bother me, if you can’t tell. Especially those folks who are walking and texting – I’ve decided that I’ll just walk right into them if they’re not paying attention.
So if there are clouds in the sky, you automatically assume it’s going to rain?
I walk outside, look at the sky, come back in and check out the radar on the Weather Channel and then make a decision. I don’t base my decision on what the City or Decatur Metro tells me.
I don’t remember whiners trying to get the City to make a decision for them. In fact, I just did a search of DM and didn’t find much of anything whiney at all but maybe I didn’t use the right search terms. Were people really looking to the City for weather predictions, or just for whether the fireworks were cancelled or not? If one knows the fireworks are cancelled, one picks up all the blankets, folding chairs, coolers, purses, umbrellas and other paraphenalia and starts to heard the pediatric hordes home. End of story; no decision to make. If the fireworks aren’t cancelled or the decision has yet to be made by the City, then it may be worth it to stay. Whether the fireworks are cancelled or not makes a big difference to a bunch of people with short legs and the harried adults accompanying them.
I remember hearing some whining after the fact, criticisms that the City did not communicate adequately as moment-to-moment decisions were being made. In that particular situation, there was a point beyond which it was unreasonable to expect communications could stay absolutely up-to-the-minute, especially with the City short-staffed (seems like I remember somebody was off having a baby somewhere instead of doing her job on that holiday evening?). In that kind of weather, everybody needs to be prepared to figure out where their own risk -aversion boundary is, and go with it. (I’m not willing to stipulate that in the tel-#-you-can-call scenario, they would have been able to keep the recording updated — conditions were literally changing moment to moment at some points during the evening.) If it seems physically dangerous to be outdoors, then how can it possibly be worth it to stay, regardless of what they decide to do about the fireworks? (I would think that is especially true if you have charge of somebody else’s children.) If conditions are not dangerous but potentially uncomfortable, then pay your money and take your chances: stay and get soaked, with the possibility of no fireworks in the end, or go home and stay dry and play games and have fun, even though you might miss the fireworks just that once.
I agree that the City cannot be expected to give minute-to-minute updates and that individuals have to take responsibility for their own decisions about safety. We should not be a Nanny City!
Having said that, the City and DM are often the best sources of current information about changing conditions so Decaturites have become conditioned to look to them for information. That’s a good thing as long as everyone keeps appreciating the effort. I know I do. I thought a great touch last year was that the City collected the blankets, chairs, umbrellas etc. that were abandoned when the weather got violent suddenly…….and then let everyone know later where they could pick up their stuff! (That wouldn’t be us, by the time the rain was deluvial, we were huddled in an overcrowded minivan debating with all the fervor of childhood which way to go–home or keep staring at the sky!)
If I had a say, and I would probably be contradicted by many family members, not to mention other posters, if the City were on the fence between 8:00 and 9:30 PM about whether to cancel because of stormy weather, I’d err on the side of cancelling. That would clear the area quicker and keep more out of harm’s way. But easy for me to say. I don’t have to worry about the costs and hassle of postponing and then setting up again on another date. Not to mention the egg on the City’s face if it cancelled at 8:30 PM and then the sky were clear by 9:30 PM……….
Um, those of us in charge of large clumps of children, not all of whom ours, on foot, laden down with lawn and other belongings, wandering around town, from parade to shelter to picnic to shelter to fireworks anticipatio, appreciated whatever information we could get last year during the on-again, off-again fairly violent storms. In the real old days, prior to automated cell phone notices, the Internet, blogs, etc., there was always a telephone number you could call. Not saying that this is the highest priority for town services, but the excellent job that the City usually does in alerting and updating us is much appreciated. It’s part of what makes us a connected community, not just a place to live and pay taxes.
I for one am a bit concerned about fires starting this year. I know that at the big shows the firetrucks are nearby and it will be safe, but the individuals randomly shooting off fireworks really scare me.
Specifically, will whoever the pyromanic is on Drexel that shoots them off at every opportunity please refrain from aiming the fireworks towards my house/yard this year? It is really dry right now. The pictures of fires burning up entire neighborhoods in colorado springs are sobering. Use extra caution this year. I love to see the fireworks as much as anyone, but aim them over the street or save them for wetter weather. Thanks and happy fourth!
+1: There are several fireworks enthusiasts in our neighborhood and I hope they pay attention to this post and all the fireworks warnings. We find the home fireworks to be moderately inconsiderate–many children and animals are disturbed by loud noises, never mind folks trying to sleep. And there’s always the risk of injury and the question of legality but those issues are the business of the residents operating the fireworks, if they stay on their own property. But the risk of fire goes beyond the property line and threatens others’ property. It is very hot and dry so far this week and there’s been a fair amount of wind intermittently.
+1,000
+ 1 million
I often the spend the July 4th evening with family in another part of the metro area, but always feel anxious about leaving my own homestead unattended after the time, a few years ago, I discovered remnants of fireworks on my roof and in my backyard the next day. (spent rockets, kind of large ones) I wish there would be an all-out campaign by the media, discouraging people from using backyard fireworks this year and explaining why.
My nephew is sitting on about $30 worth of fireworks until it rains again. Not sure what will explode first-the firecrackers or him from waiting.
This made me chuckle — mental image of a 7th grader (or so) perched on a little crate of fireworks holding an open umbrella, alternately looking at the broiling sun and his watch.
Good for his parents — delayed gratification is good for children. So is the idea that considering how one’s actions might affect others is always important.
This is what I remember thinking last year, after hearing some of the post-4th whining about the City allegedly falling short re. communication: Go outside and look at the weather and/or go inside and turn on the Weather Channel and/or consult neighbors and friends about what’s ahead. Determine how invested you are in the event: how disappointed you would be if you bail and it proceeds without you, and how much you are willing to endure/risk in order to avoid the possibility of missing it. On that basis, decide to go and endure whatever comes; or not go and come up with alternative entertainment for self and entourage. Take responsibility for making the decision and living with it, and don’t whine that nobody told you what to do.
Perfectly stated.
I’m hoping the fireworks get rained out.
I’m hoping for a repeat of last year so I can see the Avondale fireworks tomorrow night and Decatur’s this weekend!
I hope to harken back to the days where everyone wasn’t so worried about everything and simply were intelligent thinking adults and municipalities and enjoyed the fireworks. Unfortunately it seems conditions have to be perfect, 70 degrees with clear skies, no one setting off fireworks on their own, if so make sure it is early enough so everyone isn’t disturbed, make sure it isn’t far away to walk, plenty of water and above all else constant neurotic communication to all technological platforms so no one isn’t in the know……
This will be my first year taking the kids to see the fireworks. What are some good spots to set up camp and see the show? Are there any areas that are less crowded and/or close to the tracks?
If your kids are little and/or don’t like loud noises, it’s awfully loud right near the square. Not sure the best viewing spot around the tracks. But for north of the tracks, I’ve come to like the First Christian Church lawn at Nelson Ferry and Ponce. It’s gotten more and more crowded over the years and you have to get there early to get the best parking and spots on the lawn, but there’s always room somewhere. It’s self-contained enough that there’s kind of a roving mass of children and it’s safe to let yours join them while you remain seated if they are at least 5 or 6 years of age. Sometimes the Church members are selling food or drink and that’s a nice touch when it happens.
If your kids are little and/or don’t like loud noises, it’s awfully loud right near the square. Not sure the best viewing spot around the tracks. But for north of the tracks, I’ve come to like the First Christian Church lawn at Nelson Ferry and Ponce. It’s gotten more and more crowded over the years and you have to get there early to get the best parking and spots on the lawn, but there’s always room somewhere. It’s self-contained enough that there’s kind of a roving mass of children and it’s safe to let yours join them while you remain seated if they are at least 5 or 6 years of age. Sometimes the Church members are selling food or drink and that’s a nice touch when it happens.
I can also recommend the parking deck at the First Baptist Church. You can park inside (gates will be open) and walk up to the top. Lots of people there, and a good view. Really has never been that crowded, but fun!
Does anyone know if the city pools will be open tomorrow? The website doesn’t say. I might have to break down and telephone.
I called and it didn’t even kill me. They will be open 10-6.
Is the football field an option?
No, there is no public access to the football field.
Has anyone ever sat in the high school parking lot? Or the open lawn across College Ave from the school parking lot?
Both of those are popular places and give a good view.
This is our first year in Decatur. We are planning to picnic by the bandstand. We’re planning to set up shop around 5:45 or so….I’m hoping we’ll be able to get a decent spot at that time (large enough area, band starts at 7, I think), but don’t know when folks start congregating in that area.
Thanks in advance for any tips!
According to my sources (i.e. neighbors coming back from a walk up to the Square), some folks have already laid out their blankets for the concert this evening!
It will be pretty crowded by 5:45.
GREAT SHOW! I believe it lasted even longer than last year. I loved the ones that looked like either Dementors or sperm traveling up toward the sky. Love my city!
Always impressed by the show, as well as its length (I timed it at 30+ min.). But (here comes a whine, folks), I wish the powers that be would start at, say, 9:00, rather than 9:35. Lots of sleepy, cranky kids on the lawn of First Christian Church last night that an earlier start time might have helped alleviate.
Not to mention their tired parents who had to drag into work today………..:) I’ve always assumed that the wait until 9:30 PM is because it’s darker than 9:00 PM.
Good news was that the only threat to the organized activities that I saw yesterday was a big flash of lightning in the distance when the parade was about to start. But it came to nothing. The rain the previous day made me a little less worried about fires due to the dryness.
Was soooo proud of the way my 16 month old goddaughter handled her very first fireworks– she was a bit startled at the first burst, then clapped and laughed after each successive one. Plus, she was intrigued seeing so many other little ones around us enjoying the ‘works, and I think she took her cue from them, too. Show was great– was nearly 45 minutes!