The 7th century Chinese get all the credit for fireworks. Granted, they discovered them, developed them and perfected them, but 7th century Byzantine Greeks also had a hand in creating one of our most beloved combustible traditions—and to their credit, put it in our hands. That flickering little stick we know and love as the “sparkler” sees its earliest origins from the wartime implement “Greek fire.” So closely guarded a secret were its exact components, that the since-lost specifics of the concoction remains a matter of speculation. Inextinguishable by water, “Greek fire” was particularly useful in naval battle. Fortunately, today, should your sparkler get out of hand, tossing it into a bucket of H2O does the trick. Really, it doesn’t take much. But how about sparklers poolside? Should something go wrong you know you’re safe. And image how divine the dancing reflections of delicate fire! This year, as you count down to midnight, hearken back to the imagery of the sparkler’s earliest origins (replacing combat with swank—there’s music, bubbly, choco-dipped fresas, party favors…) at the Poolside Sparklers and S’Mores Party at Umalu. Oh, and another thing: S’MORES. $35-$45, 661-2134
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