Fireworks show doesn’t make waves

Congratulations Surf City.

You proved to the City Council naysayers that Huntington Beach can

handle a fireworks display at the beach, like so many other cities,

without mayhem, riots and hundreds of arrests. We knew you could do

it.

Huntington Beach celebrated its centennial Fourth of July Parade

and Celebration with style and dignity. Crowds flocked to Downtown

first for the 332-float and attraction parade that entertained for

more than two hours, and then they went to the beach for the

pyrotechnics display.

The parade was patriotic and boisterous and simply screamed city

pride.

As Main Street resident Doris Chambers put it, “A lot of people

come from out of town to see the parade, but this is really an event

for the people who live in Huntington Beach.”

Chambers, who has decorated her home for the Fourth since she

bought it in 1954, won first place for her efforts this year. The

home-decorating contest adds to the festivities of an already

phenomenal parade.

There are no listlessly waving beauty queens and dignitaries on

floats here -- no sir -- it is all done with exceptional enthusiasm

and energy.

And for all the wild cheering of the morning celebration, the

evening was remarkably calm. An estimated 150,000 people gathered on

the beach far to the north and south. And while some were

disappointed by the display that had been billed as one the largest

coastal displays on the West Coast, when it was over, people turned

away from the crashing waves and last shimmers of falling embers and

walked to their cars.

This example should serve a dual purpose.

No. 1: Don’t play something up too much if you’re not 100% sure

you can deliver the wow you’ve promised; and more importantly, No. 2:

Surf City’s fireworks belong at the beach. Because despite some

grumblings that people expected bigger and better, the fireworks were

fantastic. They were more spectacular than they ever were at the high

school and accommodated more people.

Police had no trouble keeping the peace, and thousands (rather

than a couple hundred) enjoyed the show.

Way to go, Huntington Beach. We’ve earned a repeat performance

next year, we’d say.