It really was on a whim that I decided to head into town. The thunderstorm that had just soaked South Portland was moving out to sea and the orange sun was visible as it dropped to the horizon. Portland looked inviting across the Fore River channel. And it turned out to be a good decision.
I had just had a very nice time with the family at my sister's house eating hamburgers and hot dogs. And that was a real treat because I've completely run out of money and had only had one meal from the day before. My brother in law did a great job with the grilling and generously supplied us both with a couple of beers. So I was all energized for a long walk.
When I got across the Casco Bay Bridge and stepped off on to the sidewalk in Portland I could tell that people were in high spirits. I made my way down Fore Street and then up Exchange Street to Lincoln Park, where I began to film. After a slow but entertaining walk up Munjoy Hill on Congress Street to the Eastern Promenade I finally got a glimpse of just how many other people had the same idea. The grassy area, in fact the entire Prom, was densely packed. It had been years since I'd gone there for fireworks and it was pretty cool to see how things had changed.
Immediately I heard the sounds of the PSO at the bottom of the grassy hill and set up along the shore area, just to the southeast of the fireworks area. Unlike time that I recall attending in the past I saw no overt drunkenness - though people were tipsy and a little more than happy. There were also no fights and no yelling or arguing that I observed. This seemed very unusual, especially considering that there were literally tens of thousands of people packed in together.
As you'll see I ventured along the roadway, deciding just where I wanted to sit down. Along that way I met Charles Bragdon a Portland Mayoral Candidate and brand new newspaper publisher. He was a great guy with his young son at his side helping out and shaking hands, and he certainly seemed very focused on his goal of enlightening people about what he sees as a crisis of ignorance. He handed me his paper but sadly it was left behind somehow after I watched the fireworks. I will keep an eye out for future issues and for his name in upcoming political and social commentary and politics. I suggest seeking out more info about him if you live in Portland. And I will post updates once I'm back in touch with him. There is a brief interview in the video below. I hope to do more interviews like this with interesting personalities around the Portland area and start a thread about these folks in the near future.
As you'll see the fireworks display was spectacular and the evening was a fantastic success. From my perspective there didn't seem to be any problems at all. And the people of Portland and tourists visiting were very civil, friendly and quite respectful of each other.
I really am convinced that a new spirit is sweeping over people. They are sick of conflict, intolerance, hatred, and greed. We are all at the edge of a kind of a New American Enlightenment Age and, as Iwallk, I have been fortunate more and more lately to be a witness to it. Enjoy the video and please comment here or on Facebook if anything in it moves you. More than anything, last night revived my love of America and my hope that it is turning the first page to a new chapter. the government and the institutions might be lagging behind but WE THE PEOPLE are moving forward with a new momentum and a real desire for peace and the light of truth. When America the Beautiful was sung during the fireworks, the whole crowd joined in and there were not many dry eyes around me. And I am happy to say - with patriotic pride - that mine were a bit misty as well.
Enjoy!
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