We had professional (yes, licensed pyrotechnic guys) on both sides, about a mile away putting on huge displays. The house next door was bought by a couple of active duty Marines this summer. Since we invited them to our neighborhood picnic, they invited some their buddies, who ran to SC and spent a grand on stuff to launch from our shared driveway. They had four mortar tubes and 24 explosive shells. They were loading all four, and four young beer drinkers with Bic lighters trying to light them at the same time. There were some exciting, close calls, but noone was hurt. Our cats don't care and our indoor/outdoor potbellies crawled under their blankets and ignored the whole world, just like bedtime every night. Happy Birthday, USA!