Red, White & Blue Ash

 July 4th found Tom and I at Summit Park in Blue Ash. It was a free event: two concerts ... John Waite and Pat Benatar ... followed by fireworks. We got there just after 4 pm (the scheduled gate opening time), walked some distance from where we had to park and found a spot at the edge of a structure that offered some protection from the sun (the high was 91°).

 Even early in the afternoon, attendees had staked a spot on the ground with folding chairs and blankets. In 2017, it was estimated that 100,000 attended this event.

 John Waite performed at 6 pm. Best known for "Missing You", the song was a number one hit in 1984.

 In another claim to fame, Waite was a part of Ringo Starr & His All-Star Band in 2003.

 The lead guitar player (l) played with Matchbox 20. I'm not quite sure who he was introduced as. Perhaps Kyle Cook.

 A short video taken during the performance of "Missing You". My essential tremor is causing the video to shake. Sorry. For the Benatar video, I took a Gabapentin and seem to have calmed a bit.

  An "Observation Tower", completed last year, looms 125 feet over the park. A glass elevator takes spectators to the top. It appears that during this event it was open only to security personnel. The structure changed color once it got dark (red, white and blue); it was made dark during the fireworks.

 Looking away from the stage, most every spot on the lawn was occupied.

 Two video screens (one on the left here) showed ads. It would have been nice if it had shown close-up's of the performers.

 At 8 pm Pat Benatar (65) took the stage. On the left is her husband, Neil "Spyder" Giraldo (62). Both are consummate professionals.

 A number of audience members sang along and danced with the performers.

 Benatar sang all of her top songs: Love is a  Battlefield, We Belong, Hit Me with Your Best Shot and Heartbreaker. The set lasted about an hour and a half.

 Here's a video of Benatar singing "Let's Stay Together" ...

 Tom was on his feet for the entire Benatar concert, She's a favorite of his. When we visited the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, we voted for her induction.

 Another audience member gets into the act ...

 Opposite us and far in the distance, the concerts were filmed. I wish they had placed the feed on the two large monitors.

 As Benatar's performance ended, the sun was setting and the air was cooling a bit. There was even an occasional light breeze.

 In the foreground is the structure was sat on. It had a concrete base, much nice than the ground. And a plywood board covered part of the the roof offering constant shade. I, of course, staked a spot on the north side but close enough to the corner to see the stage.

 At 10 pm Arthur Rozzi Pyrotechnics provided a spectacular fireworks show.

 The fireworks lasted until about 10:30 pm. We then walked back to Tom's car, probably half a mile east, amid thongs of others who blocked traffic. Once we found Tom's car, we sat in it until well after midnight until enough of the cars had cleared out that we were able to fairly easily exit.

 We didn't get home until about 1 am and didn't get to bed until 2 am. Since I'm usually in bed by 9 pm, that was one late night for me. I know we were both asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillows.

 It was a wonderful free evening of entertainment. More information on events at this venue can be found here.