Isle of Palms Magazine Summer 2017

26 www.IsleOfPalmsMagazine.com | www.ILoveIOP.com | www.IOPmag.com W hen Francis Scott Key penned the words that became our national anthem, his recollection of rockets’ red glare and bombs bursting in air was somewhat different than the glare of bottle rockets and burst of cherry bombs that revelers set aflame every year on July Fourth. Watching fireworks on Independence Day is one of the few things in life that draws Americans of all ages and backgrounds together in a chorus of “oohs” and “ahhs.” The Charleston area has a handful of large-scale fireworks shows to celebrate July Fourth, but one of its crown jewels is the show on the Isle of Palms. Watching the fireworks, doubled by their reflection on the ocean and against the black abyss of night sky, is a special experience. But while your dreams of the quintessential Independence Day fireworks fanfare with your family and friends on the island can certainly come true, a little planning ahead can be the difference between making happy memories or watching the entire spectacle through your car window as you sit in traffic. “Each year, we anticipate anywhere between 20,000 and 50,000 people coming to the Isle of Palms for the Fourth of July fireworks show. In recent years, traffic counts have shown 1 million vehicles here over the course of the month of July,” said IOP City Administrator Linda Tucker. “It takes a lot to manage getting daytime beachgoers off the island, fireworks watchers on the island, shooting the show and safely getting the crowd back off the island.” Tucker encouraged spectators to plan ahead, be patient and follow directions from law enforcement, even if it means being directed a different direction than appears BY ANNE TOOLE FIREWORKS ON THE ISLE OF PALMS Lighting Up the Summer Sky