Tricky Weather Can't Deter Mpls. July 4th Fireworks Seekers

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- People were worried the show would not go on at Minneapolis' Boom Island Park because of the turbulent Fourth of July weather forecast.

It did not take long for the island to get packed with people for the Red White and Boom fireworks show.

"Rain, sleet or snow, the party must go on [laughs]!" said Minneapolis resident Baron Johnson.

His group chose this spot for several reasons.

"They have the beautifulest fireworks right there behind you, and also the children can stretch out, play around," Johnson said.

They had some umbrellas handy in case Mother Nature rained on their parade.

Surrounded by live music, food and colorful fun for the kids, David Flugge and his family were at the center of the Independence Day celebration at Hennepin Bluff Park.

The early bird gets the worm, or in the case of Flugge's family, a sizzling spot for soaking up the excitement.

"There was another family we were fighting with for a while. We just come earlier and earlier every year between 7 and 9, seems pretty comfortable, they're not the earliest risers," Flugge said. "Access to Stone Arch Bridge is right here, one of the greatest views of the fireworks."

Sun soaked the bridge, even though rain was in the forecast -- but only a heavy downpour, intense winds or lightning had the power to snuff out the fireworks.

"If it rains, it rains, so be it," Flugge said.

But with clear skies above, Flugge plans to extend his patriotism well past the grand finale.

"Then I continue to northeast [Minneapolis], my old house, and light off our own fireworks. The 'legal' ones," Flugge said.

The only tricky part about Wednesday might be trying to leaving this part of Minneapolis. Organizers were expecting a much larger than typical crowd since St. Paul did not have a fireworks display this year.