Each year around this time, Omaha’s Memorial Park hosts a concert and fireworks show on its bucolic, sloping lawn ensconced in midtown Omaha.
Bridget and I sometimes go towards 10 p.m. for the fireworks, listening to the last few songs performed by the headliner. In years past, we watched the fireworks from my parent’s home near Crossroads Mall.
This year, Bridget won two VIP passes from Baxter Volkswagon La Vista's Facebook page. This allowed us to sit in folding chair seats close to the stage, get a pass to park in the lower level of UNO's parking garage (Lot T), and have access VIP portable potties (hint: they’re like the regular portable potties in the park, just inside the gated VIP area). Baxter reps also came around to distribute bottles of water, handheld fans, and glow sticks (although we went in search of the glow sticks ourselves, not realizing they'd be brought to us).
A few of our friends — Jill, Arlen, Andy, Jason and Jolene — also won VIP passes.
The bands performing were The Confidentials (a local act), Bostyx (a Boston/Styx tribute band), and Starship. Survivor was originally slated to play, but were replaced at the 11th hour by Bostyx (which turned out to be a good act).
The fireworks display was sponsored by Woodmen of the World. It seemed a tad bit shorter this year than in years past, but was still a lot of fun to watch. (And the music accompanying the fireworks was fun, Bridget noted.)
There was one kind of scary moment. As we walked towards the parking garage, we heard an explosion. We weren't sure where it came from, or what it was. When we descended the stairs to the lower level of the parking garage, there was a lot of smoke and some commotion. Bridget spoke with a UNO security guard, who said that someone had set off a firework in the garage. He didn't see it himself, but the vehicle in question was pointed out by several other folks, and he talked to the people and basically told them to knock it off.
The fireworks display was sponsored by Woodmen of the World. It seemed a tad bit shorter this year than in years past, but was still a lot of fun to watch. (And the music accompanying the fireworks was fun, Bridget noted.)
There was one kind of scary moment. As we walked towards the parking garage, we heard an explosion. We weren't sure where it came from, or what it was. When we descended the stairs to the lower level of the parking garage, there was a lot of smoke and some commotion. Bridget spoke with a UNO security guard, who said that someone had set off a firework in the garage. He didn't see it himself, but the vehicle in question was pointed out by several other folks, and he talked to the people and basically told them to knock it off.
Some idiot set off a large firework in the lower level (Lot T) of the @unomaha parking garage. In case @meanstreetsoma got reports of an explosion near the Memorial Patk concert -- that's what it was.— Bridget Weide Brooks (@bridgetabrooks) June 30, 2018
Her tweet was retweeted by the Mean Streets Omaha Twitter account. (Yes, I know it has a typo in it. Twitter needs an edit feature.)
Parking is always an issue for the concert, and even with VIP parking, it took more than 40 minutes to exit the parking garage and get home (usually a 7-minute drive).
Parking is always an issue for the concert, and even with VIP parking, it took more than 40 minutes to exit the parking garage and get home (usually a 7-minute drive).
The Fourth of July is probably my favorite holiday — I really enjoy this time of year.
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