Even with the big police crackdown this year, which was evident at all the well-known party beaches, still no place celebrates the Fourth of July like Block Island. Bristol’s parade might be older and Boston’s festivities more filled with pomp and circumstance, but no other town I’ve ever spent summer’s best holiday in parties quite as hard as New Shoreham, RI.

With the exception of the fireworks on Tuesday night and few drinks at The Oar and at my friends’ house yesterday and coming into town this morning to find an internet connection, I instead have been hiding out on the West Side of the Island trying to find a little peace and quiet. Here are some tweets, pictures, a short video of the truly amazing fireworks display.