What's the tradition in New Paltz / The Gunks for Fourth of July Fireworks? I'll be in the area climbing this weekend and was wondering where to go, what to do when evening sets in.

Thanks!

Watch the fireworks from the top of the Nears. Avoid the crowds in New Paltz.

From that distance, the largest bursts will be the size of a dime held at arm's length. Why bother? If you really want to see fireworks, get serious about it and go to the Ulster County Fair Grounds. Fireworks are best when you feel the shock wave and smell the powder.

I'll probably be watching from the dime seats..... That's okay with me.

If you really want to see fireworks, get serious about it and go to the Ulster County Fair Grounds. Fireworks are best when you feel the shock wave and smell the powder.

This thread is old enough for a bit of deviation. MarcC's comment reminds me of the time when, as a boy, I absolutely loved fireworks; now they're just a sleep-depriving annoyance to me. Did some of you go through the same change of taste?

I still like fireworks; they can be quite beautiful. But I don't like the crowding that comes with big f/w displays when you haven't got a secluded spot to view from. Especially the mass exit when they have finished.

I'm with Terrie on this one.

Then, you two need to go on top of either Snow Mountain or one of the infinite shoulders on Noonmark and watch the little display the Ausable Club puts on!

...i have no idea of these places of which you speak!

I'm just glad the 4th is on a weekend this year. When it's during the week, I always feel bad if I don't go see them, but I work til 7:30pm and can't get a good spot in time for them to start. Always totally stuck in a massive block of people with no clear line of sight.... and then the mass exit - yuck.

You live in NYC, right? You might find that in comparison, the "crowds" in New Paltz might be a fraction of what you're used to.

Always totally stuck in a massive block of people with no clear line of sight.... and then the mass exit - yuck.

I recall seeing the spectacular display marking the 100th anniversary of the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge. Lots of people were drinking and not an open restroom in sight -- it made me wonder.

accord speedway has fireworks tonight....July 3rd.
anyone know of other displays over the weekend?
i think i will take up rangerbobs recommendation to view new paltz works from the trapps as we have a one year old...thanks

i was there too and very young.....remember watching from around the seaport area as people peed off the elevated highway onto the packed crowd below!

Marc, have you ever watched the line of red lights leaving the fairgrounds after the fireworks? We have, from the comfy and airy ledges of the Millbrook trail, all the while sipping wine and laughing at the slobs inching their way down county route 7. It may not be NYC, but getting into and out of town that night Suuuucks!

Also, you can see the fireworks from New Paltz, Newburgh, Beacon, Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Saugerties, Middletown. all at the same time. Pretty amazing.

Yes. But there are places where you are close enough to see them adequately, but not actually at the fair grounds or on Rt. 7... or dealing with the exit traffic. I would think that as a local you'd know that!

Also, 90% of the exiting traffic is headed north, back to 299 and NP. There are other ways to get back to the cliffs.

Actually you know the best show in town that night is at the Mohonk Mountain House. The fireworks almost rival the Towns fireworks, but they are set off right above the lake. the sound reverberating off the rocks, combined with the reflection on the water is really amazing.

That's where I would head, via mtn bike from the Trapps.

Poughkeepsie waterfront, Saturday.

Anyone have any 2012 fireworks beta they would like to share?

Walkway over the Hudson

The Walkway requires $10 tickets for 9:20 fireworks. No tickets necessary for water front viewing. Both Highland and Poughkeepsie will have fireworks.

Info and tickets here: https://secure.commonground.convio.com/walkwayoverthehudson/july4th2012/
Or:
9:45 at the Rondout in Kingston,
and:
9pm at Newburgh or Beacon waterfronts.

The lightning going off directly behind the fireworks made it extra special awesome this year. i don't think I've ever seen that before. The 10 bucks for the bridge was very much worth it. We say Poughkeepsie, Beacon, bear Mountain Wappingers fireworks all at once, including the fireworks from heaven. In addition we probably stayed on the bridge a good hour after the show as over. How often do you get a chance to be up there at night like that!!