Fireworks at the Webster Groves celebration. Photo by Charles Williams/P-D
This heat is making me crazy in a Jack Nicholson kind of way.
In “A Few Good Men,” Nicholson plays Colonel Nathan R. Jessep, a cigar-chomping Old Salt who gets testy when the temperature rises.
But he didn’t have Ted Drewes. We do.
In a little more than a week, we’ll heat things up in the night sky for Independence Day. Crowds will head to the Arch for the biggest bang in town, but I’ll be at the Webster Groves celebration, a smaller shindig that includes carnival rides and corn on the cob.
We’d like to know where you’re going to be. Leave your favorite spots to see fireworks below. Let us know why you like that spot, and we’ll try to include it in the July 3 issue of Go!
After the smoke clears, submit your pictures to our Fourth of July gallery.
Welcome to the media circus. I'm Charles Williams, online entertainment editor and operator of this ride. My colleague and fellow carny Evan Benn also will occasionally take the controls. Buckle up. 
The best kept secret for the area and has the best fireworks and carnival is the 4th of July celebration in Winfield, Mo. The food, rides and beer is cheap and costs nothing to get into the park.
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The Fair St. Louis Fireworks are probably the best…but going downtown for it is too much of a hassle. There are MANY good locations to watch from if you know the cit. We have tried several locations, and found one really outstanding place to watch from, but I couldn’t go back to my favorite spot if I told anyone here… then it would be another over-crowded venue and traffic would be an issue. My lips are sealed!
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I’ve seen fireworks in many cities and downtown St. Louis under the arch is still one of the best shows in the country. Those that stay home in florissant, St Charles, or wherever are missing a great show. The best place I’ve ever watched them is the year the Eads Bridge reopened and they closed it to vehicle traffic. Its a great view of the Arch and skyline.
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Haven’t been able to get back for it in several years now, but every fireworks show I’ve seen in my 57 years and living in six states pales in comparison to the one in Flagler Beach, FL. The fireworks are launched over the Atlantic Ocean, with the city pier as backdrop. It’s a breathtaking sight. Although I’ve seen some pretty good pictures of it, you just can’t catch the ambiance (sp?) of the crowd, the backdrop and the fireworks. All at the end of a day-long festival in a tiny East Coast village that hasn’t gone commercial. Around here, I can see the Wentzville show from my front yard, so if I’m not working that’s where I’ll be.
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Growing up we had a couple of favorite spots. The first was in the playground of my elementary school (Bayless Elementary off of Weber Road). We would climb up to the top of the jungle gym and watch the VP Fair fireworks off in the distance. we couldn’t hear the pops or bangs but it was close and enjoyable (plus we never had to deal with a horde of people trying to find a clear parking space).
The second used to be the employee parking lots of AB. They are now blocked off from the average individual parking there after hours but when we were younger that was one of the spots you could park, hop onto the hood of your car, lean back and enjoy the show. Much closer than my alma mater but but busier.
The third wasn’t a spot many could enjoy and many can’t use. My dad worked at Defense Mapping close to the downtown area.
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I agree with Fireworks Freak. I’ll be at Lake Ozark probably watching the fireworks at Tan Tar A. Fireworks are the best over the lake. Maybe I’ll see you there!
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use to go to the arch , but they are not what they use to be 12-15 years ago. to big of a crowd for something that was better in the past. I now go to wentzville for a big show and will also hit webster on a off day for a small show.
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I have to say Florissant. Great show not too big of crowds and the church up the street hands out free snow cones! It’s great and it doesn’t take you an hour to get home
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We usually go to either Wentzville or O’Fallon depending on which one has the better entertainment. They both put on a really cool display.
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For the last 2 years, the City of Chesterfield fireworks at Chesterfield Mall have been the best I have ever seen. And I have been to many VP Fair/Fair St. Louis shows in the past. Last year, they had 2 finales: one in the middle and one at the end.
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Whatever Joe. You flatlanders are dull, anyway. I guess it’s all that flat landscape that makes a person like that. I’d rather go downtown and see the best fireworks around, anyway!
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If I want to avoid crowds, I go to the Compton Hill Reservoir and watch them from the Reservoir wall. A great view!
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Nothing better than fireworks under the Arch. The best in the world that’s for sure.
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The best place is actually on the east side of the Missisippi River, but I am not going to publish it because you close minded Missourians might actually come over and get in the way of our hometown fun.
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The best fireworks shows always happen down on the riverfront under the arch at Fair St. Louis and Live on the Levee… There is no better place to see a spectacular display of fireworks and listen to great music for FREE!!!!
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Fair St. Louis FOR SURE! I cannot wait for this year’s FSL!! Counting Crows, Train AND fireworks underneath the Arch!! What could be better?? Nothing says 4th of July in St. Louis like watching fireworks on the fairgrounds!! OH, and I’m so excited that Highway 61 Roadhouse and Kitchen is featured at the Sauce Cafe on the 4th, yum! Great music, food and fireworks…that is what the 4th is all about!
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On my stone wall, up on a hill overlooking the Webster Rec ball fields. Twenty one years and counting, we’ll do it again on the 3rd. Second only to my neighbor’s patio.
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I absolutely LOVE going downtown to watch the fireworks on the Levee. Fair St. Louis is always awesome with the bands and then the fabulous fireworks display. LIVE on the Levee brings in a very diverse group of musicians and then the great concerts are always followed by awesome fireworks. It doesn’t get any better than that!
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Fair St. Louis! They are the biggest, the brightest and the best! We’re going both nights.
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Tan-Tar-A. Sit by the pool and watch a great show. and then walk to the bar…. no driving and even though the lake is crowded,I stay off of it except in the early morning ( 8 a.m. til about 9:30a.m.)when it is smooth as glass. TTA keeps non guest out so the place is not elbow to Arse toe. TTA is were I have been going for 8 years. Fantastic show!!!!!
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