Fireworks fans stay cool waiting for July 3rd booms near lakefront
MILWAUKEE- People are partying it up Tuesday after sweating out a hot Monday to get their spot for tonight's US. Bank fireworks show.
The dry conditions are forcing officials to make changes for this year's lakefront fireworks.
This year, you better keep the flames to the grill, the fireworks to the pros and the water beside you.
"Stay hydrated, with probably less alcohol than in the past," said Jason Wischer. His family is beating the heat as they wait for the show.
About 150 family and friends were to join them for the celebration, with plenty of food from the grill. He's being careful with grilling because of the dry, hot conditions.
"We have the propane. I always like to prefer to grill on top of a picnic table, and I'm very quick to scorch any fires that might come up. We don't use charcoal around here."
Amyreon Gray is drinking water every ten minutes to stay hydrated.
"Drinking bottled water while you play," explained Gray.
Eight cases of bottled water fill a cooler for members of the Flying Kneuppel Brothers.
Patrick Hurley will need that water after spending a few hours over the grill to cook for about 30 people.
"It's really quite nice this morning, so far, minus the sweat over the grill. As long as it doesn't get into the eggs," explained Hurley.
The weather is the talk around the tents already lined up by Lake Michigan for the big U.S Bank fireworks display.
"I think a lot of people are afraid of being out here so long in the heat. I don't know if I can do it today," Jill Stuart of West Allis told TODAY'S TMJ4's Nick Montes on "Live at Daybreak."
She called Milwaukee's July 3rd fireworks the best in America.
Joe Roma and his crew have an entire tent dedicated to cold drinks.
"Plenty of ice, we got plenty of ice, water, keep hydrated," said Roma.
Carl Kiefer pulls it off with a shower tent some folks may be begging to use by the end of it all. "They're kind of ripe after a while," said Kiefer.
Vicki Windau flies in every year from Reno to stake out her spot. She's used to the heat, but not the humidity. "You don't feel like you need to climb in the shower three times in one day. Fire dangers there, though too," said Windau.
And those fire dangers are very real this year. Because of the dry conditions, Milwaukee County parks officials have banned bonfires and personal fireworks, like sparklers.
The hour long show starts at dusk, which is around 9:25 Tuesday night. And you're encouraged to arrive early to snag a spot.
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.