For a couple of months now, Judy and I have been trying to decide how we want to celebrate Rhythm and Booms®. It was our hope last year that people would come over, park their cars, stow their coolers and head out to the park for a day of music and carnival fun, returning at dinner time for a modest potluck cookout.

Things being what they are, and the Universe being a rather perverse entity, things didn't work out that way. Most everyone hung out inside, rather than striking off on their own, to visit the park, get snack, or find the best place for fireworks. The end result was that Judy and I had to miss some of what we wanted to do because of our duties as hosts. We didn't mind because a good time was had by all, and we still got a chance to see some of what what we wanted to, and the people we wanted to see, but it did get us thinking about how things could be done better.

This is how Rhythm and Booms is being planned (subject to the approval of the Universe):

• If anyone needs to stay with us, they are welcome to with advance notice.
• Everyone should be here on the day of the event by 1 or 1:30 at the latest. People stake out their spot to watch the fireworks early and parking spots evaporate quickly.
• We do plan on attending the festivities at the park, so if you aren't here by 1:PM or 1:30, you also run the risk that we will not be home.
• Lunch and dinner are strictly bring or buy your own.
• Bring a desert-style item (or whatever else you might want) for a desert potluck while we wait for the traffic to clear out. That's the only pot-lucking we intend to do.
• DON'T FORGET TO VISIT THE OFFICIAL SITE for a full list of the day's activities. You can get here earlier than 1:PM or 1:30 PM, so if you see something you want to attend, or just want to find a good fireworks watching spot, please come over at whatever time you want (but don't knock on our door until 8:30 AM please :)

There are some important safety tips to remember that may not be listed on the official site, but have been printed in the paper:

• Dogs are prohibited from Warner Park on the day of the event.
• Tents and screen tents must be taken down by 6:PM, as they pose fire and pedestrian hazards (falling ash and lost or forgotten stakes and tent lines).
• If you're close to the roped off "danger zone, " bring eye and head protection
• No alcoholic beverages outside of designated areas
• No sparklers or consumer fireworks allowed in park on the day of the event

I think that covers it all. There's more information to be found at the Rhythm and Booms® web site, including lists of what to bring, maps of the park, schedule of events, and other pertinent details