A picnic and some fireworks

Every year Alexandria, VA waits to do it's Independence Day celebrating until the weekend after so they can join the 4th with their anniversary celebrations. There is a parade, concerts, and, my favorite, fireworks. Last year Doug and I went with his mom and dad.
http://heatheranddougnunley.blogspot.com/2013/07/fireworks.html
We had such a great time I made Doug promise we would go back each year. So keeping his word, he took the entire weekend off to make sure we had a great weekend.

The fireworks are set off from a barge in the Potomac River, just off the shore of Alexandria. The best view and the entertainment is set up at Oronoco Bay Park. The city encourages you to get there early, bring picnic gear, and spend the day. Last year we shopped and ate at a restaurant right on the water. When we got to the park and saw all the picnics, I had to do it. So this year we packed up the picnic basket (aka 31 bags) and headed down to the park.

It was a little warm (about low 80's) but a nice cool breeze kept most of us from getting sweaty. Poor Doug is so hot natured he gets hot when it's in the 60's. Me, on the other hand, well... I am typing this blog with a fleece blanket wrapped around me. Anyways, we brought a blanket to spread out on, some folding chairs to sit in, yummy sandwiches with all the fixings, and a cooler of beer (Merica!). We had a blast people watching, eating, listening to live music, and enjoying the evening.

One of my favorite things is that it is not packed. There are a lot of people in a small park but it was nothing like Annapolis was last weekend. You have your own space to enjoy the show. 

As the sun set the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra took the stage and played a fun medley of tunes. There was Star Wars, Harry Potter (amazing by the way!), Frozen, and then some more patriotic tunes. I think my favorite part of the fireworks is the orchestra playing along to them. Fireworks over the water with an orchestra playing under the harvest moon on a cool July evening, can't get more of a magical evening than that.

The barge the fireworks were shot from.

Kinda blurry but that is the moon in between the trees. 

As usual the fireworks started off with a bang from the cannons. Loud, but cool. The fireworks are the best because you are so close to them. No matter where you sit, you have the best seat in the house. I kept telling our friends these were some of the best in the area and the city did not disappoint. I am already planning our trip next year. If you are ever in the area the weekend after the 4th, make sure you head over to the park. I promise you will be happy you did!