Indian Americans celebrate 4th of July

Nicki and Sangeeta Mehra host their viewing party on the balcony of their San Francisco apartment, overlooking Ghirardelli Square.

Nicki and Sangeeta Mehra celebrate Fourth of July with friends. / Nitin Karnik

Indian Americans love the 4th of July fireworks. They climb to strategic points in the neighborhood to catch a glimpse of them. At one point on Monte Bello Road in Cupertino three sets of fireworks: Santa Clara, Great America Parkway and Shoreline Amphitheatre are visible.

Neighbors jostle good heartedly, carrying their folding chairs for a sit down. Backyard parties spill out onto the street, large sets of friends emerge holding their plates of food, not to miss the splash of star spangled skies.

Homes with a view of the fireworks host viewing parties. Bonhomie and good natured clinking of glasses follows. Red white and blue festoons the air and the attires. Is it nostalgia against a common enemy or is it just that a Punjabi can’t resist an opportunity to party. After all, in India, Christmas and Diwali are both celebrated with equal gusto by most.

Nicki and Sangeeta Mehra host their viewing party on the balcony of their San Francisco apartment, overlooking Ghirardelli Square. “For the last four years of Covid we could not invite anyone,” said Sangeeta Mehra. “ We love the spectacular view of the fireworks,” she said.

“The building hosts a party and we have our own party," said Nicki.

Nicki and Sangeeta Mehra celebrate Fourth of July with friends. /

The morning parade and customary pancake breakfast doesn’t find many takers in this crowd. The Indian American emerges to see the fireworks extravaganza adorned in the colors of the American flag. The mandatory barbecue is also abandoned by the mostly vegetarian Indian Americans.

Prior to the show, onlookers enjoy Fourth of July festivities at Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39. Some book a trip out onto the water with City Cruises that depart from San Francisco and Berkeley to catch a closer view of the pyrotechnics.

Everyone remembers their first Fourth of July celebration in America. Dharani Kasavaraju, a social studies exchange student from Hyderabad was awestruck at the hearty chest bumping of American households. The fervor that built to a crescendo filled her heart with patriotic fevour.

This year, as it is done most years, at 9:30 p.m. San Francisco waterfront annual fireworks display over the Bay was launched and synced from separate barges to allow maximum viewing.

“I was worried about the ubiquitous San Francisco fog spoiling our view but the clouds formed a perfect canvas for the display on the left. The cloud free display on the right provided a superb contrast,” said Sangeeta Mehra, from whose balcony two firework displays were visible. “It was like looking through the lens at an optometrist. One side is crystal clear and the other a little misty.”

The notorious fog was missing. Temperatures dropped and jackets were donned as revelers stepped out on to the balcony. The Golden Gate Bridge stood proud with its legs astride both sides of the bay. The ocean lapped at the entrance sending gentle waves towards Alcatraz island. The wine soaked partygoers lit up with joy as red sparks flew across the sky.