An estimated crowd of 25,000 were on hand to view fireworks on the evening of July 4, 2011. While many viewed from the Gates of the City, Heritage State Park, the Taunton River boardwalk and a variety of points throughout the City's center, several hundred paid a small charge to board the USS Massachusetts for a close-up view of the pyrotechnics shot from a barge in the River by Atlas Pyrotechnics of New Hampshire. "This is our first year watching from the Battleship," commented Steven Steen of Fall River who brought daughters Emily and Hannah along with friend Luke Formiano. Proceed go to the Friends of Heritage State Park who sponsor a weekend carnival and performances of the the Air National Guard Band of the Northeast and the Down and Dirty band, Click here for a video of the fireworks. Click here for the Herald News story. Click here for photos of the Carnival. Click here for photos from the 2009 fireworks. For more information, contact Paul Simister at Friends of Heritage State Park.
 

(Top row, left) Members of the Martins, Costa and Silva families get ready to watch the fireworks from the deck of the USS Massachusetts. (Top row, center) Viewers on the ship's deck are treated to a colorful sunset behind the Braga Bridge. (Top row, right) Steven Steen, Luke Formiano, Emily Steen and Hannah Steen are decked out with glowing lights. (Middle row) Viewers on the stern deck and the bow deck get a commanding view of the Taunton River. (Bottom row) The fireworks finale is visible from the many decks of the ship as well as from the Braga Bridge.