View of the Magazine's fireworks from outside Bruton Parish Church. Edges of the Capitol's fireworks can be seen on the left.
This was my first Grand Illumination, so it was very exciting for me. I missed the Fifes & Drums, but I arrived just in time for the fireworks, apple cider in one hand and iPhone camera in the other. (Much thanks to the study abroad fundraiser that was handing out cider and cookies!)
I was really amazed by the mass of people gathered in Colonial Williamsburg for the event -- more than I've ever seen in CW at one time. It must have been thousands, all packed together on Duke of Gloucester street, huddled against the cold and gazing up at the fireworks; yet people were saying that this was a small turn-out compared to previous years.
Colonial Williamsburg has really suffered this past year or so, despite the neat programs they've recently started (and the opening of the Charlton Coffeehouse, which I finally visited this weekend and is SO cool, go check it out). It's not a matter of CW being less interesting, relevant, or enjoyable; it's just that everyone's broke. Attraction sites around the country are suffering the same losses, but for a great institution like Colonial Williamsburg to suffer like this, that's a real tragedy.
So if you and your family are looking for somewhere to visit this holiday season, consider spending a day in Colonial Williamsburg. And attend 2010's Grand Illumination!
(The holiday parade being canceled due to bad weather was a real bummer, though. I'll just have to make sure to see it next year.)
And so the holiday season truly begins...
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