I think it started in 75 or 76 as we took our 2-3 yrs old son to the Newport Floodwall to watch. No one knew what to expect. People were blown away by the size and show length. Nothing like it ever before. The finale noise & light was awesome. It went on for several minutes. Because what it would be was unknown, relatively light crowd that first year. That quickly changed.
It was a wide open event in the early years. Very little police presence, traffic control (Getting out could be a nightmare.). Recall sitting there and a group of 20's aged guys (Us still then too.) climbed up with a 1/4 barrel !! Laughed my tail off, but nobody thought anything as everyone had brought their own. Took 3 years or so for the authorities fully realized what a huge event it was & started putting in controls - reducing the fun of course. My Mom loved it. Several years we took her and sat practically on the riverbank.
For those that don't know, the concrete flood wall is 30-40' tall with grass covered embankments on both sides that are steep/tough to climb up. Installed after the record 1937 Flood. Ate up Newport's First Street.
