For years I’ve been contenting myself with watching fireworks on TV because you can sit in your air-conditioned house on comfortable furniture and not deal with driving, parking, and port-a-potties. And they’re nice that way, right?

Well this week I happened to be 2 blocks away from a park where I could watch fireworks live and up close, so why wouldn’t I? It was AMAZING. Aside from the gorgeous pyrotechnics completely filling the sky there’s the deep booming and sizzling crackling sounds. Suddenly the child-like wonder you thought was decades in your rearview mirror rushes back and you’re six years old again. Sheer, unadulterated, GLEE.

The Ottawa Fireworks Competition will continue on August 13th and 16th so if you’re in town why not stroll over to Major’s Hill Park and throw down a blanket? If you want the full effect you can purchase tickets to see the competition from the Gatineau side in front of the Canadian History Museum. I understand there’s synchronized music and chairs, but viewing it from the Ottawa side of the river is free and plenty impressive sans music.