J / July 2, 2010 8:00 AM

No.

Texas T / July 2, 2010 8:46 AM

We normally go sit up on our roof, drink some beers and watch the neighborhood fireworks. My husband hates crowds so not sure if we'll ever go see any "legal" displays.

Mike / July 2, 2010 10:48 AM

Neither. I hate all of the illegal crap that goes off on the 4th -- thanks Indiana! There's nothing more pathetic than seeing drunk people in the alley blowing off explosives with their little kids. Given all the gang problems in Uptown, Rogers Park and Edgewater, I'm anticipating mayhem at the north side display, so I won't be going anywhere near Foster Beach. I hope I'm totally wrong and everyone who goes has a nice time.

qca / July 2, 2010 11:34 AM

I will be watching the various legal and illegal fireworks from my balcony. I live on the 18th floor and can see the lake from my apartment.

I hate being at ground level when the drunk people are setting off illegal fireworks, but all the little displays add up to an amazing sight from where I'll be sitting.

Dennis Fritz / July 2, 2010 12:00 PM

No need to go downtown. There's so many fireworks going off in Rogers Park that come nightfall, the whole neighborhood is hazy with cordite smoke. It's kind of cool, actually.

Andrew Huff / July 2, 2010 12:13 PM

Mike, the Cycle & Saddle Club at Foster & Sheridan has been putting on its own show on July 4 for years, with few issues in the parks as far as I'm aware. They're still doing it this year, btw -- on Saturday night.

People have been setting fireworks in my neighborhood for a few days now. We don't get very many pretty ones, just a lot of m-80s.

Emily / July 2, 2010 1:08 PM

My neighborhood has been shooting fireworks all week, and I love it...but those m-80s are heart attacks in the middle of the night. I'll head to the burbs for a few shows this weekend.

sb / July 2, 2010 2:45 PM

This Bike for Fire. Fire Bike.

Ray / July 2, 2010 3:34 PM

Don't forget, there are no Grant Park fireworks this year. July 4 fireworks will be at Navy Pier, Montrose Beach, and 63rd St Beach.

beer:30 / July 4, 2010 11:55 PM

I just got back from the annual Ukie Village bash at Augusta & Leavitt [I live around the corner]. For years now, they throw down pro-style boomers starting after dark. Some tech glitches this year kept it late, thankfully no one was hurt. And then the crowd capped it off with an impromptu choral rendition of The Star Spangled Banner. It's like a self-organized street party; all your pals and neighbors are there drinking beer in the middle of the street and ooh-ing and aah-ing at the fireworks. The cops leave it alone; esp with the lack of po-po manpower these days, they couldn't do anything even if they wanted. But the happiest folks - other than the guys who put it on every year and seem to really get off on the applause - are the bartenders at the L&M. They make a killing every 4th. More power to'em. Happy Independence Day!

Maitland / July 5, 2010 11:24 AM

Part of the privilege of living in a grand city such as ours is that you only need to step onto your back yard or rooftop to see a 4th of July fireworks show.

Some of you whiny fucks don't deserve to live here.