It’s Going to be a Blast
Communities all over the region are lighting off fireworks this week to celebrate America’s independence — July 4, the day, back in 1776, the 13 colonies told King George to kick rocks. It’s a good time to party and reflect on what made the colonists risk their lives for freedom. There are about two dozen grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence, here’s a few (the “he” is England’s King George):
— “He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.”
— “He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.”
— “He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.”
— “For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world …”
— “He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.”
— “He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us …”
Thank goodness we’re not dealing with that anymore.
Here’s when the fireworks are set to blow up gloriously in the night sky:
Friday, June 30: Holyoke, Holyoke Community College, on Homestead Avenue (Rain date July 1)
Saturday, July 1: Greenfield, Poet’s Seat Tower, Mountain Road (Rain date July 2)
Chicopee, Szot Park (Rain date July 2)
Westfield, South Middle School fields, West Silver Street. (Rain date July 2)
Monday, July 3: East Longmeadow, high school
South Hadley, Michael E. Smith Middle School, Mosier Street (Rain date July 5)
Tuesday, July 4: Amherst, Fields behind McGuirk Stadium at UMass (Rain date July 5)
Springfield, Riverfront Park (Rain date July 5)
Pittsfield, Wahcohan Street (Rain date July 8)
North Adams, Joe Wolfe Field, Curran Highway (Rain date July 5)
