Well, the Kintai Fireworks Show was great.  As we headed out with our camp chairs it reminded me of our Sundays in Coronado heading out to Music in the Park. 

As we rode from our house along the river to the event.  The excitement was building as more and more people were flocking in the same direction, mostly walking or on bikes.  This was a beautiful sight along the way. 

We got to the River at least an hour early and already the riverbed was packed with people.

One reason for getting there early is to eat the local street food.  This time we had fried octopus balls, chicken meatballs on a stick, and salty cucumber on a stick as well as Asahi, Japanese beer.  Here’s Chris talking shop with Bill, Director of Facilities and fellow bike rider extraordinare.

The show started right at 2000 and the way it lasts an hour and a half is that the show is composed of many mini finales.  First the host announces (in Japanese) who the sponsor of the fireworks is and then they shoot off the fireworks provided/funded by that sponsor boom-boom-boom.  Then a pause, then the speaker announces the next sponsor and the next boom-boom-boom.  It’s interesting since some companies have a lot of discretionary funds and others have very little. But never the less, they each give it their all.

The “ride” home was interesting because everyone was leaving at once and the streets were jammed with walkers and bikers (not cars) so it was pretty slow going most of the way.  Quite amazing.