QotW - Fireworks

[Eru]

With Canada Day and Independence Day in the US fast approaching, I thought this question would be appropriate:

What does you think about Fireworks? Do you love 'em or hate 'em? Any special memories associated with them?

If you are not from Canada or the US, I would also love to hear what special holidays you have which uses Fireworks as part of its celebration.

[Pandora]

Here in Portugal on 23rd June we celebrate São João (kind of St. John! It's a religious day), and at night there are lots of Fireworks near my house! It's gorgeous! Wonderful!

It always reminds me of Gandalf.... ;D

[Lomadia]

Same here, Pandora! I love fireworks, and there are some marvelous displays near my home. But every Independence Day (since I first read The Lord of the Rings) I always flip open my book to Sam's little verse about Gandalf's fireworks and read it aloud before heading to bed.
Namarie,
Lomadia

[ania]

bored bored, so I shall answer. I love fireworks and my memory connected to them is that my friend Maria (who I've known since preschool) always spent the fourth swimming together and then picnic-dinnered in front of a fireworks displays when we were little

[[Aeria-Gloris]]

I spent much of my younger years almost killing myself with fireworks about this time of year.

take one home-made rocket launcher.
go to near-by industrial area.
cause problems for local security company.

you soon learn to be more careful when you lose your hearing and any feeling in your left hand for a few hours!

i missed bonfire night last year coz i was in australia. i should be back on form this time round!

[Beren Erchamion]

Everyone would gather, on the 24th of May
Sitting in the sand, to watch the fireworks display
Dancing fires on the beach, singing songs together
Though it's just a memory, some memories last forever

Lakeside Park by Rush. LISTEN.