Independence Day, 2015

The view from Beach Park Bridge: boats, canoes, and paddleboards head to the fireworks

Residents chattered away in multiple languages as they awaited the fireworks. Beach Park Bridge is less than a mile away from from Ryan Park, and the view is perfectly adequate for those who wish to avoid the crowds and minimize damage to their eardrums. After dusk's last light the fireworks began at 9:30 p.m. and culminated 20 minutes later in a pyrotechnic paroxysm that had the crowd oohing and aahing.

Another reason to like the view from the bridge: it's only a 10-minute walk home.