Sugarhouse Park on the 4th of July

When we lived in Sugarhouse there was a wonderful big park up on the top of the hill. It had a lake with a walkway around it and during the spring the water, entering the lake, would be so much that it would spill over the paved sidewalk.

On the 4th we and many other Sugarhomebodies would go spread their quilts on the ground. Most of the kids would be in their PJ's and would be prancing around, with the anticipation of the magic that would be coming and the rush of legally being up late. There was a sweet smell that my dad told me was pipe smoke but what I have now come to understand was marijuana.

The night would begin by a single rocket being fired into the air and exploding with a loud cannon boom. The geese and ducks would explode into a flurry of wings, churning water and honks as they would take to the air. Parents would say "It's starting! It's starting!" and children would squeal and dive into their waiting arms and the mounded pile of blankets.

We would then be thrilled with fireworks under the stars being reflected into the lake. This was before music was put to the firework and I always thought it would have been a nice touch...I could have made my millions.