Fireworks Display Lights Up the Night in Salem, Oregon (VIDEO)

The sights and sounds of 4th of July in Salem, Oregon.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Just a few minutes of the grand fireworks display at Salem, Oregon's Riverfront Park July 4th 2007 and a quick shot of a home fireworks display. No reporter, just the sights and sounds of the July 4th event by Salem-News.com's Tim King.

This year's event had all the spectacular visuals that people have come to expect and crowds packed the riverfront park where a carnival and other festivities were set up and in place. Each year residents bring lawn chairs and relax for a fantastic display that they identify with the nation's birthday.

The weather for this year's event could not have been any nicer; t-shirts and plenty of shorts were the attire as people took in a family event that reminds us that summer is in full swing.

I had fun going over the various still images from this year's event. I have posted some of the images because of what appear to be other images inside or emanating from the still shot.

You have to draw your own conclusions, I just thought that perhaps they are designed to explode in a way that appears to create images.

I see what appears to be a running cartoon character, maybe that leprechaun from Lucky Charms? I hope viewers will respond with their thoughts. I know, some of you are going to tell me that I need more sleep, but this thing jumped right out at me when I was first evaluating footage from the night's shoot.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull? Along with the star, I can't imagine that the design of the explosion is not intentional, it would be interesting to know.

One gentleman that I spoke with just before the event started, told me that he had watched a History Channel documentary that gave a comprehensive and riveting account of the events that led up to the Revolutionary War and the Nation's Declaration of Independence.

I hope that as time passes, people put two and two together, and remember that history is a fascinating subject, and that the characters can nearly be brought to life by an engaging professor or teacher.

Like other national holidays, the Fourth of July can present a timely opportunity for all of us to educate our young at home. And if nothing else, it can be a reminder for us to jump on the computer, or dial up Discovery or the History Channel, and brush up on a few relevant facts about the events that led to our standing here today.

That is my two cent's worth. I confessed long ago to the fact that I am a history addict and my life is wrapped around it. While people do not all share the same interests, I go on contending that history is one of the most compelling scholastic subjects if communicated the right way. Please enjoy the fireworks.

The video below is of the July 4th celebration at Riverfront Park, and then a quick look at home fireworks from a Salem-News.com celebration.

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