It was a star-spangled 4th of July night on and above the USS Midway Museum as the annual Big Bay Boom fireworks show lit up the sky over San Diego Bay. Nearly 3,000 guests watched the massive pyrotechnic display from the museum’s flight deck celebrating the nation’s 246th birthday in grand style.

The Midway’s popular fireworks viewing party is one of the most sought-after tickets in Southern California.

“This was our first time,” said Michelle Winslow, from Valley Center who attended the viewing party with her husband Brandon. “We used to watch the fireworks from Navy Pier before COVID but decided the next time we’d come to the Midway and hopefully make it a tradition.”

The 17-minute fireworks show was launched from four barges floating in San Diego Bay and choreographed to a selection of patriotic music broadcast on both local television and radio.

Midway’s front-row seats on the bay made the Independence Day spectacle and an awesome experience.

“It was fabulous,” said Nina Brown of San Diego who was joined by family and friends for the party. “This is our fourth time coming to Midway for the fireworks. We brought the kids, and they were so excited after COVID to be back in the thick of things.”

Midway Maverick and Iceman meet new Independence Day friends.
The Sully Band rocks Midway’s flight deck.
Brandon and Michelle Winslow enjoy their first Midway fireworks viewing party.
Nina Brown shows off her 4th of July outfit.

The energetic songs of The Sully Band, the San Diego Music Award winner in 2020 for best live local band, kept all those in attendance in high spirits.

“It’s fantastic to play here, it was a real honor,” said Robert “Sully” Sullivan, the band’s lead singer. “This was an excellent crowd and we really enjoyed it.”

Midway was not only the best place in San Diego to take in the fireworks but, as America’s Living Symbol of Freedom, brought special meaning to those commemorating the 4th of July on the flight deck.

“God bless America and our 56 signers for giving us freedom,” said Brandon Winslow. “The National Day of Independence 1776. What a day and place to celebrate on top of the bow of the USS Midway.”

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