Perfect weather, packed-house crowds at the Howard T. Brown Memorial Park and the Marina at American Wharf, live music everywhere. What a night to be in Norwich.

I didn’t cover the Norwich Fireworks Extravaganza Sunday night. Julianne Hanckel wrote a nice story about the fireworks and the people who came to enjoy them. I’m sure city officials and business owners liked the comments from one Colchester family who came early, went to Mohegan Park and the Historic District and then stayed for the fireworks.

Our party parked at a friend’s house near Norwich Free Academy, and we walked down Washington Street to the marina. Except for the crumbled sidewalks on Washington Street, the entire experience was great. We walked back the same way and I was impressed at how smoothly the traffic seemed to flow.

We had no trouble turning left onto Washington Street, thanks to a courteous driver, and we were home in no time.

The Norwich Fourth of July Committee didn’t get started until late April, but under the leadership of real estate broker Michael Franklin, the group quickly raised $23,000, obtained support from local businesses who donated some nice items to a silent auction fundraiser and asked the public to “buy a burst” to help out.

They’re already getting started on raising money for next year’s show, hoping to make it even bigger and better. So get ready to buy another burst for the cause.