Tuesday, July 05, 2011

Independence Day: July 4th at Silverton

You haven't seen a real waterfight, until you have seen the firebrigade having one, using fire-engines, and high pressure hoses! In the old mining town of Silverton, high in the San Juan range of the Rocky Mountains, this is exactly how they celebrate American Independence Day.
The competing teams are the fire departments of Silverton and neighbouring Durango. The rules of the contest are pretty straightforward: the firefighters advance towards each other with firehoses on full-blast. The winners are the last ones still standing! The pictures above show Silverton pressing home their advantage.

With several injuries, and many of them sent flying by the water-cannons, amidst much cheering and hilarity - both teams then turn their hoses on the crowds.


Of course, Colorado wasn't involved in the original July 4th Declaration of Independence, but this doesn't stop this unique and jovial patriotic display. All men (sic) are indeed created equal and endowed by their creator with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. No effigies of George III were burned and the locals seemed very happy to allow a load of us Brits to join in their celebration of getting rid of us.

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