It took me awhile to finally post about the Fourth of July, but I DID IT. Eventually. (I mean, it’s only six years later). We love a delayed sense of patriotism.
This was the Fourth of July 2019, and it was supposed to be special. Celebrating our nation in the nation’s capital had been sitting on my bucket list for years. I imagined fireworks, history, vibes. What I did not imagine was tanks and a very aggressive “Salute to America” announcement turning the whole thing into a political spectacle.
But listen. I did not care.
I was there for the fireworks. I am a simple woman with simple, sparkly dreams.
Everyone gathered on the lawn near the Washington Monument, and surprisingly, the atmosphere was laidback and almost festive. Think massive picnic energy with strangers who all forgot sunscreen. I couldn’t see the concert happening on stage, but speakers were placed throughout the area, so we still got the audio experience.
Highlights included Lindsey Stirling absolutely going feral on the violin and Carole King performing like the legend she is. I am fairly certain my soul briefly exited my body when she started singing.
That was probably the last magical moment of the night.
The fireworks began and for the first five minutes, they were incredible. Truly. Stunning. Worth the hype. And then the smoke happened.
Within ten minutes, the smoke became overwhelming. You couldn’t see a single firework. A thick, sulfuric fog rolled across the lawn like it had somewhere important to be. People started coughing. Eyes started burning. And suddenly, a mass exodus began as everyone collectively decided that freedom should not smell like this.
As we were leaving, I turned around and caught one last look at the Washington Monument. It had been completely swallowed by firecracker-induced fog. Just gone. Erased. Temporarily un-American.
The smoke followed us into the city, turning the walk back to the hotel into an endurance test. The air smelled like rotten eggs, visibility was terrible, and I developed a headache that felt targeted. I am blaming the smoke and standing by that decision.
All I wanted were fireworks, and I loved every minute of the five I could actually see. It was disappointing that the night turned into such a mess, but it was also unforgettable.
It was the best fireworks show I never saw.
And honestly, for Fourth of July 2019, that feels weirdly on brand.
