October Hanabi

Fireworks festivals are not normally held in October but this one in Tsuchiura, Ibaraki prefecture, is an exception. It’s a competition and showcase of nearly 100 “grand finales” and new models of colorful explosions.

Seating was in a muddy rice paddy, freshly harvested.

As the sun set the food stalls lit up but our group of twelve didn’t indulge. We brought a picnic feast of homemade pizza, lamb chops, lasagne, oden, Taiwanese eggs, side dishes galore, cakes and lots of drinks.

The finales were bright as day.

The combination of colors and shapes delighted me. I grinned for the entire two hour show.

Jim, eschewing the usual (as usual), took black and white photos.

This patchwork of small explosions quilted the sky.