Monday, June 19, 2017

Kenwood fireworks 2017 set for June 29


via GIPHY
The best fireworks display in the D.C. area will once again be presented by the Kenwood Golf and Country Club in Bethesda. This year's Kenwood fireworks will be held on Thursday, June 29, 2017. The event at the private club is for members only. However, the fireworks are visible some distance around the club, and usually begin after 9:00 PM.

Nearby residents - and those with apartment balconies facing the club - know the drill by now: Plan a backyard party modest or grand, and then gain the cachet of The Great Gatsby himself when an expensive fireworks display suddenly erupts in the sky above, and caps off the evening.

Savvy Bethesdans (a.k.a. readers of this blog) who aren't part of the landed class can still partake of the fireworks - if they know where to go. The smart spot is in the church parking lot across River Road from the club, where those-in-the-know converge on foot or by car.

I haven't bothered to go into D.C. or out to Rockville for fireworks since Kenwood began their fireworks displays over a decade ago. The Kenwood display is superior, and gets better each year, and it certainly did in 2016.

Impress your friends, avoid getting your pocket picked or purse snatched downtown (or by the crooked Montgomery County Council!), and take in the best fireworks in the D.C. area. Gracious toast and "I'm Gatsby" line are optional.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

A. You're on crack if you think it's better display than the one on The Mall, hassle notwithstanding.

2. Yay, let's all celebrate July 4th on a random Thursday in June! As a former member of KCC, I can tell you that is a perfect example of the management's cheapness.

Nate said...

There's also plenty of places in DC not on the mall with a great view of the National fireworks, along with the neighborhood fireworks that continue on throughout the evening.

Anonymous said...

Yep, you can catch some great firework displays around MoCo if you know where to look.
Dyer will be bringing us the best suggestions.

Anonymous said...

Why the hell are these so far in advance of the actual holiday? Kenwood on its own holiday calendar or what? Too good for July 4?

Robert Dyer said...

11:48/4:49: I agree the date is less than in the spirit of July 4 - and not even on a weekend.

11:48: I think the display in New York City easily beats Kenwood, but not D.C. I offer this video of last year's lackluster D.C. fireworks as evidence:
https://youtu.be/5Sx37CaO6ic

12:44: The fireworks at Celebrate Damascus (usually the weekend after July 4) are another good one in Montgomery County.

Anonymous said...

hey nitwit, it was raining last year thats why they didn't look spectacular.

maybe if you weren't so scared of someone snatching your purse you'd make it down to see them once in a while instead of peering out a basement window at the nearby country club.

NY>DC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>kid with a sparkler>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Kenwood

Nate said...

Robert, that's just not being intellectually honest. Last year's weather was horrible. Nice job cherry picking a poor weather year to try to back up your false claim.

Robert Dyer said...

6:03: It didn't matter that it was raining - there were no spectacular fireworks beyond what Kenwood sets off last year. In New York, they've got fireworks that actually turn into images, the whole 9 yards. I wouldn't die from fumes in a Metro tunnel or get shot going downtown for the D.C. fireworks, when the Kenwood Club is even better, and I'm not surrounded by pickpockets and terrorists. Gatsby wouldn't be caught dead down there, old sport.

Nate said...

There sure were. After the National fireworks ended, the usual neighborhood fireworks continued throughout U Street, Shaw, Logan, etc. And its not just stuff people picked up in PA, but pro level mortars. Of course, as it seems you're too scared to step foot in DC due to antiquated fears of the crime that used to plague the city, you wouldn't know that. That's ok sport, enjoy all the night life in Bethesda and the arrival of restaurants we've already had in DC for years. We won't miss you.

Robert Dyer said...

6:18: Kenwood fireworks would blow away neighborhood fireworks. Now there are some very cool fireworks you can buy in jurisdictions that don't treat you like a big baby - I remember a tank that would actually move forward on a flat surface and "shoot," that I once bought in a non-nanny state.

Nate said...

And you know this because you've recently been to DC and seen the neighborhood fireworks, in addition to the Kenwood to fairly compare? Because I have, and the combination of National and neighborhood blow away your country club fireworks. Sorry you're too scared to come into DC, you're missing out on a lot.

Nate said...

If you want to be brave this year, a good place to watch is Cardozo school on 12th near U street. Grab some food nearby on 14th, watch the show, and see the neighborhood fireworks after. Its fun!

Anonymous said...

I've agree with Nate.
When I was a kid (admittedly a long time ago since I'm older than some dirt) we'd overnight at a family friend's DC apartment and watch from the roof. You'd see so many of the local fireworks displays. Fun!!

Anonymous said...

"I wouldn't die from fumes in a Metro tunnel or get shot going downtown for the D.C. fireworks, when the Kenwood Club is even better, and I'm not surrounded by pickpockets and terrorists"

^To those who haven't been following, this quote perfectly sums up Dyer's perception of reality. Remember this quote when you read Dyer's outlandish claims, accusations, insults, and threats on this site.

Robert Dyer said...

8:24: You sound like someone who hasn't read the Washington Post for the last five years. No insults, no threats, no clue what you're talking about. Do I deftly respond to our lone troll? Yes, and readers enjoy that.

Anonymous said...

What are these "neighborhood displays" in D.C.? Is it just people setting off their own fireworks? Anyhow, I live in MD and personally like to not have to deal with traffic and crowds just to catch some fireworks so I appreciate knowing of any local moco displays.

Anonymous said...

"No insults, no threats, no clue what you're talking about."

That's hilarious. I could probably copy and paste thousands of quotes of instances, but they're already on full display already for all to see.

Anonymous said...

Columbia CC and Chevy Chase CC too Ghetto for you, Dyer?

Anonymous said...

12:38 - Chevy Chase CC is changing their motto to "You don't chose the Thug Life..."

Anonymous said...

What if their was a council meeting in the District? Would Robert be able to attend, or would the pickpockets and murders get to him?

Anonymous said...

Perhaps he would bodyslam the thug or maybe give a five finger death punch. Speaking of which did you mean pinch or punch, Robert?

Anonymous said...

The display doesn't run on the 4th because we don't have enough fire equipment to cover every major show simultaneously should a fire erupt unexpectedly. Each show is staggered across the week/s to free up equipment. The local events also don't want to compete with the much larger, grander show on the Mall. It's also about logistics and freeing up equipment for the 4th celebration should a disaster happen on the Mall. What if a terrorist strike occurred on the Mall at the very moment all fire equipment is deployed across the DMV. It could be a terrible situation!

Anonymous said...

INTO DC??!! Well I would nevah! (clutches pearls, faints.)

Anonymous Worth said...

I was trying to sleep because of that whole working on weekday thing, but I guess we revolve around you, and your ill-timed fire toys.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to say you are wrong; we spoke with Congressional Staff today --- AND --- the Cabin John Volunteer Fire Department:

Congressional Country Club's Fireworks are on Tuesday, July 4 --- starting after approximately 9:10 p.m.

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Robert Dyer, for the article. An out-of-town friend and I walked over and the Kenwood Fireworks were just lovely. Starry. Sweet. Spectacular at moments. There were families and fireflies. It was not very crowded. It was the total package, and rather nostaligic of childhood days.