It may be the latest Independence Day celebration in American history.
But who cares?
After a slow start last night — at 7:30 cars were still cruising into Compo Beach, without a wait — by showtime all was right.
The crowd was 2/3 its usual size — the result of a 4-day postponement. But Soundview Drive was its usual Party Central. Picnickers enjoyed their usual feasts and beverages. Little kids twirled their usual sparklers. High school kids strutted their usual stuff.
And — thanks to the wonderful work of Parks and Rec, the cops, EMTs and all the others, plus the generous contribution of Melissa & Doug — it was a July 7th to remember.

At 6:30 p.m., South Beach was still almost empty. This was one fireworks celebration when you didn’t have to claim a table at 9 a.m.
With 1/3 of the crowd missing all 200 spaces that the Rec Commission wants to remove were full – What will next year bring????