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WEST PALM BEACH, FL--The city has a big night planned for the Fourth of July, including music, activities, and of course the main event in the sky.
"Fourth on Flagler is a free community event that the city of West Palm Beach puts on, and it's our patriotic gift to our residents and visitors," said Mary Pinak, Community Events Manager for the city.
"We have the best fireworks display I think, right off of our Intracoastal Waterway," said Pinak.
But before the fireworks show even begins, there are a few guys here in town that are going to go to new heights to show their patriotism.
"This is our seventh year doing the flag drop for the Fourth on Flagler celebration," said Captain Butch Barndt, of the city of West Palm Beach Fire Rescue.
High in the sky above the crowd, from Fern to Lakeview on Flagler drive, these men from the city of West Palm Beach Fire rescue will risk their lives to unfurl an enormous "Old Glory."
"It lets the guys get a little more practice, get a little more time on rope, plus is really lends an heir of patriotism," said Barndt.
There is always a lot of preparation before something this dangerous, and safety is the number one concern.
"Each person has two ropes on them, and there is also coordination with the other ropes that tie off the flag, so there's a lot of ropes going off the edge," said Barndt.
On average there are only a couple of rope rescues every year for these guys, but even with lots of practice, it's still a little scary.
"There's always a little sense of trepidation when you first go over the edge, once you get out there and you lock off on your rope, it's good to go," said Barndt.
But once you are "good to go", firefighters say you can't beat the feeling.
"You look over the skyline of West Palm as your going over the side, and the breezes, it can't be any better," said Barndt.
And on a night like the Fourth of July, this gig is not only rewarding for these guys, but for everyone who witnesses it.
"When the flag reaches full extension and the National Anthem finishes, there's a roar that you cannot believe at the bottom of the flag," said Barndt.
