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The bright lights crackle in the air as if there is no tomorrow. The sound is as loud as thunder from a troubling sky. Thousands upon thousands of people settle in anticipation. There are so many different types of colors it is unreal. What people are witnessing and celebrating is America's independence. The atmosphere, sounds, lights, and colors bring Saginaw together to celebrate freedom.

Walking around 0jibway Island, I can tell early July has made its presence throughout Saginaw. I can feel the warm air against my skin. Traditionally, my family and I attend the festival every year. The crowds are enormous while everyone tries to find a pleasing seat. I usually walk around the Island to kill some time. As I walk around Ojibway, I see the police everywhere checking everyone with backpacks or purses. I make my way to the Court Street Bridge, where traffic is snarled because of the closing of the bridge. We usually sit on the Court. Street Bridge, to get a clear view of what is going to happen.

As the community members of Saginaw unpack their folding chairs and coolers, they prepare themselves for a show they can talk about until next year's celebration. Every year we can only hope the show has improved. Excited people wait in anticipation until they see the first glare of what looks like a shooting star flying through the air. The noise is so loud it echoes off the buildings and kicks off the night. Some little children are crying because they cannot take the noise of the roaring explosion. Other children are in awe, as it is their first time witnessing something so powerful.

As the show goes on the lights can he so bright at times they may blind your eyes. Some people cannot keep their eyes off the lights, while others cover their eyes and wait for the light to dim so they can regain focus. The lights come from all different directions As everyone is looking up, a curve hall is thrown as the bridge parallel from Court Street lights up like it never has before. We are all in awe as the focus shifts from the sky to the Bridge. The light is blasting up from the bridge from all different angles, leaving the crowd guessing what it is going to do next.

There are so many colors the eye can see it is amazing. Red, white, and blue are the predominant colors for awhile, pertaining to the theme. As the sky rains colors the audience is enjoying the view and trying to take it all in. For some people it is harder than others as they are making sounds that are crippling to my ears."0-o-oh and A-a-ah" are the sounds that become redundant throughout the whole show.

As the Fourth of July show comes to a close everyone is waiting for the much-anticipated ending. The crowd is guessing when it is going to be as the explosions are playing mind games. The fireworks, filled with light and color, come out in full force, letting the audience know that the grand finale is underway. The atmosphere, sounds, lights and colors bring our community together as we celebrate another Independence Day!