Here are two graphics from my "HOLIDAYS" folder in the Hamilton Library Local History Collection. Note the ease with which children could access the dangerous pyrotechnics! Did anyone notice the absence of advertising for all those Pennsylvania fireworks stores that made such big news in the recent past? Methinks the black and whites were waiting for the buyers as they crossed the river from Morrisville to Trenton!
HAVE A SAFE AND SANE 4TH!
HAVE A SAFE AND SANE 4TH!
Fireworks were outlawed back in my day as a kid in the Burg, but we had a bit of an outlet. We got onto our bikes and rode over the "Trenton Makes" bridge to Morrisville. Dozens of stands were set up to sell "fireworks" to kids from Jersey. These 'works weren't much, really, but us kids loved them.
ReplyDeleteSparklers.
Snakes.
Caps.
We quickly found out that caps could make a sizeable report if you set off enough of them. One or two rolls hit with a large rock gave a great BANG along with the great smell of combusted gunpower. ;-)
The big event, of course was the free fireworks display at George Hamids State Fairground.
Fourth of July! Great times!
Ahh, those delicious memories, Joe! We bought what were known as "horse caps," which had a dot of powder 1/4 in diamter. A roll of the hit with a hammer made the hammer bounce and a really loud bang. Remember "Torpedoes," a cap wrapped in tissue paper with a bee bbe. You threw a torpedo down on concrete and got your bank. Torpedoes were great for guys who lived in the city where there were concrete sidewalks. Out in our Hamilton boondocks there were no concrete sidewalks.
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