Fourth of July Fireworks Show at Carnegie Mellon University was Awesome!

I watched the Fourth of July Independence Day fireworks show at Carnegie Mellon University with my girlfriend yesterday. I described the fireworks with several words: spectacular, amazing, awesome, bright, loud, and so forth. I was impressed by the fireworks, and we will go again next year.

Beginning of Fireworks at Carnegie Mellon University
(Copyright Jonathan Becker)

Tip: If you live in a big city, do not go to the fireworks downtown because you'll have a really tough time getting home. Find one near your home.

I went to last year's Fourth of July Independence Day fireworks last year because I didn't feel like going to downtown Pittsburgh, and my girlfriend agreed with me on that this year. She went to a downtown Pittsburgh fireworks show years ago, and it took her hours to get home afterwards because it was a mess after the show. Hence, after going to a friend's Fourth of July party, we walked down early to Carnegie Mellon University, hung out, and sat down on a couple of portable seat cushions. Before the fireworks began, we sat next to a really nice couple who brought a very lovable Beagle mix. We chatted with them and petted their dog.

More Fourth of July at Carnegie Mellon University
(Copyright Jonathan Becker)

WARNING! Think twice before you bring a pet to a fireworks show!

The whole atmosphere at the Mall between Hamerschlag Hall and the College of Fine Arts was a communal one. People brought lawn chairs, or lawn blankets. There were several people who brought dogs including the nice couple that we sat next to on the lawn. Most of the dogs handled the fireworks fairly well, as they only barked. However, the loud noises (especially the reverberations of the booms off the College of Fine Arts Building) really freaked that poor beagle mix out. He was absolutely petrified! The poor dog even wriggled out of his collar, but luckily there was another couple behind them who caught the dog, and both couples did their best to calm the poor thing. I don't think the beagle mix dog's owners knew what would happen, and I'm sure that the dog is fine now. However, you really need to understand your pet's temperament before bringing him/her to the fireworks.

As is typical Pittsburgh fashion, it started raining pouring during the fireworks, so we moved ran to one of the arches in the College of Fine Arts Building and found shelter from the rain. That was a much better spot than the lawn because we did not hear any reverberations there. I think the videos / photos that I captured were much better from that location as well.

Awesome fireworks burst during CMU Fourth of July Fireworks Show
(Copyright Jonathan Becker)

Where ever you watched the fireworks, whether outdoors or on TV at home, I hope that you enjoyed your day, had fun, and partied responsibly and safely. My girlfriend and I really liked the waterproof lawn blanket that the couple (with the Beagle mix) sat on, and we noticed that Bed Bath and Beyond has it. We plan on getting that blanket to sit and lay on during future outdoor Pittsburgh events in Schenley Park and other Fourth of July fireworks shows. If you missed yesterday's fireworks, I have four YouTube videos that I recorded. I hope that you enjoy them!


Sincerely,

Jonathan Becker
ECE PhD Candidate
Carnegie Mellon University

Happy Fourth of July! May You Enjoy the Day and Be Safe!

I just wanted to wish all of my readers a happy and safe Fourth of July! Go out, have fun, party with friends, and watch some fireworks. Just remember to be safe, so you can celebrate again next year!

I've got a few pictures of fireworks that I took on July 3rd. These were from a pre Fourth of July fireworks show held at the Point Park in Downtown Pittsburgh, PA. I captured these photos from the Pittsburgh Pirates PNC Park near the end of their game versus the Philadelpha Phillies. The Pirates won the game on July 3rd, by the way, so this made a great start for Yinzers in the Burgh heading into the holiday. Enjoy the photos and remember to enjoy your Fourth of July safely.

Fireworks from Downtown Pittsburgh (Copyright Jonathan Becker)

Spectacular fireworks show from downtown Pittsburgh (Copyright Jonathan Becker)

More fireworks from downtown Pittsburgh (Copyright Jonathan Becker)

In addition, here are some videos of fireworks that I took from Pittsburgh Pirates games in the past.

Enjoy your day and may good health, peace, and prosperity be with you always!


Yours truly,

Jonathan Becker
ECE PhD Candidate
Carnegie Mellon University


P.S. Here's looking at you kid!

Pittsburgh Pirates Parrot Pointing at You. The Parrot Knows You'll Play it Safe on Fourth of July!
(Copyright Jonathan Becker)

Zambelli Fireworks After the Pittsburgh Pirates Beat the Milwaukee Brewers Again

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: One of the great things about living in Pittsburgh is being able to watch the Pittsburgh Pirates in their stadium named PNC Park. I've attended games that include concerts or fireworks after the game. The fireworks are crafted and set off by the Zambelli Fireworks Company. The firework shows are always great -- especially after the Pirates win the games! In this case, the Pirates beat the Milwaukee Brewers 2 to 1. It's great to live in Pittsburgh!

Below are two videos taken during the fireworks show at PNC park. I believe that these firework shows are always spectacular, and it's great seeing downtown Pittsburgh's skyline behind the fireworks. You can hear the loud splender of the fireworks in the videos. Enjoy!

I hope that you enjoyed the videos, as the fireworks are always a great treat. I've included a couple still shots of the fireworks as well. I've always been fascinated by fireworks, as there are many colors that light up the dark nighttime skies. I love it when the blasts are so bright that it feels like daytime even for just a few seconds. The best part about the Zambelli fireworks is that you get to watch them after watching an exciting Pirates game. Of course, if you didn't attend the game, you could always watch them from the Roberto Clemente Bridge or from the Point Park at the junction of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers. Watching fireworks is a great way to spend a warm, summer Saturday night with your family, friends, and / or loved ones.

Zambelli Fireworks Viewed from PNC Park: What a Beautiful Site! 

More Fireworks After the Pirates vs. Brewers Game on June 29, 2013.

I want to thank my girlfriend's mother for taking these photographs and videos, and giving me permission to post them on my blog and on YouTube. I wish you all good luck, happiness, good health, and success.


Best,

Jonathan Becker
ECE PhD Candidate
Carnegie Mellon University