I'm not sure who was more fascinated by the black snake fireworks — the sibs and I or my dad.

While not the biggest and flashiest of the fireworks, it was a source of pride to have the one that grew the biggest or twisted into the weirdest shape.

With six kids, our fireworks displays at home were pretty simple, with sparklers, snakes and on-the-ground "safe and sane" fireworks being the order of the day. That transitioned into watching the public shows when summers got too hot and crazy to even think about doing something at home.

Looking back on my memories of running around the yard with a sparkler or of seeing who could write their name the best (or fastest, or over the biggest distance — what can I say, we could be a trifle competitive — it wasn't the fireworks themselves that made the memories. After all, we had just as much fun at the public shows and did a lot of the same things.

What made the day special was being together as a family, celebrating our country's birth and enjoying that time together.

So instead of setting off fireworks at home, head on over to City Beach — or the surrounding area where you have a view of the beach — and watch the Sandpoint Lions' Fourth of July fireworks show.

Today, generous donations totaled $650, with a $500 donation from the Hymowitz family and a $150 anonymous donation. The donations bring the total received from this very generous community to $12,425.

While the club has the funds to cover the costs of the parades, celebration, and fireworks show, they're looking to make them bigger and better than ever.

And that's where you come in. Please consider donating to the show and make this a safe and memorable Fourth of July for everyone.

Those donating to the Independence Day celebration will be named in future columns. If you would like to be anonymous, please indicate that on your donation or let the Lions Club know.

To raise even more money, the Lions will be giving away special T-shirts to the first 150 people making a donation of $20 or more at the registration table on July 4th. (The club also will be giving away ice cream at Sandpoint City Beach at 1 p.m.)

It's all part of the club's efforts to make this Fourth of July celebration one of the best yet — and to celebrate the community which they love.

This year, the theme for Fourth of July parades is "It Takes a Community" and the event will showcase the many local businesses which impacted by the pandemic, and celebrate the community and all residents, Lions Club officials said.

Applications are being accepted for the Grand Parade, and will be until the morning of the parade.

The children’s parade will start at 9 a.m., and the Grand Parade will begin at 10 a.m.

Although overall fundraising for this year is limited due to the short turnaround time, Lions Club officials held a raffle in 2019 to pay for 2020 fireworks, which were then run by Sandpoint Independence Day, Inc. instead.

Those funds, in addition to community donations, will be used for the Fourth of July events.

Those who wish to contribute to the July 4 fundraising can do so by clicking the donation link on the Lion’s Facebook page or dropping off donations at the Daily Bee, 310 Church St.