The Thames River Festival is a spectacle throughout London. Dedicated to the mighty vein of the city, this festival celebrates the beauty, benefit, and just overall existence of the Thames. This year the festival occurred on September 10th and 11th with the huge firework show happening on the night of the 11th that was the highlight of the festival to me. I arrived in London on August 24th so the festival was almost like a huge introduction to the city and celebration of the culture that was built upon the river Thames which I really enjoyed. With various types of music, food, artists, and carnival bits, the festival was a giant party and for me, it couldn't be a better way to get to know my new home and appreciate the gifts the Thames has brought London.
I didn't spend too much time at the festival because I was intent on making it to the huge firework show that ended the festival and get a really good spot so I could see everything. We found a place in the middle of the Waterloo Bridge and staked out for about 20 minutes waiting for the fireworks to start. It was dark and pretty late so it was freezing cold with the breeze off the river so everyone I went with huddled together which also gave me a chance to get to know some of the amazing people in our group! There were tons of people on the bridge that were there to see the show was well but the man next to me who I think had a tad too much to drink and kept shouting caught my attention mostly. But he seemed to be pretty excited for the fireworks and watched with amazement when they were going off.
Watching the fireworks at the Thames festival was I think the experience that made me think how fortunate I am to be studying in London and what great experiences I have that can never be duplicated anywhere else. Standing on the bridge and watching with huge eyes, I soaked up all the bright colors and variations of the fireworks. I have never been that close to a firework show in my life and it was just breath taking. Although there were a lot of other people there, fireworks are those types of performance events that act like it is targeted to only you so there is a sky full of entertainment and it never fails to amaze me how lights and sparkles can awaken so much. This is the moment that I fell in love with London. |
| Yey! Fireworks |
This main firework show occurred between the Waterloo Bridge and the Blackfriars Bridge just up the river right in the the center of London, the heart of the Thames. This connection with the Thames is evident that so many people would take time out of their nights to observe and pay tribute to the river with the firework spectacle that is brought me closer to the city as well.
This performance was a spectacle meant to attract the people of London to pay respect to the mighty river that has fueled London's role as a world power. The fireworks were classically done and welcomed me with open arms to the city I now call my home. The Thames river festival is also a work of raising environmental awareness of preserving the beauty of the river and preventing destruction of one of London's main thoroughfares. I found this addition refreshing, not only to celebrate the Thames but bring an intellectual twist to a large gathering of people there to enjoy the performance!
“A totally multicultural and all-embracing celebration of London and the Thames...
a spectacular and hugely enjoyable event that also succeeds in promoting environmental awareness and community spirit” --Visit London
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| The banks of the Thames |
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