Oh say can you see Francis Scott Key sitting on a picnic blanket nursing a michelada on the velvet green meadows of Auditorium Shores tonight as the Texas National Guard Salute Battery's 70 millimeter cannons (!) keep time with the Austin Symphony and a fireworks display to rival the decadent aerial ordinance of the Hunan Dynasty explodes overhead? We can. Hell, we'll probably maverick a beer from the guy if we see him, or at least a hippy that looks like him. It's the anniversary of our country's complete awesomeness, y'all! 232 years ago, our forefathers and foremothers sewed stars on George Washington's favorite tee-shirt, strung it up a flagpole, and collectively mooned the British Empire, paving the way for Rock 'n' Roll, Crystal Light, and aggressive foreign policy. If they hadn't, lord knows the silly things we'd have ended up doing (read: drinking tea, laughing at Benny Hill). Sure, we know that the 2000s have been tough for Uncle Sam, nay the world, but this year we have something significant to celebrate as the world warms up to our potential and begrudgingly forgives us for the last eight years. So huddle up with your friends and family from an apartment window or on the downy banks of Lady Bird Lake and look hopefully towards the future of this country, with pride in the highlights of our past.

Parking and Road Closure Info after the jump!

Road/Trail/Lake Closures
· Riverside Drive from Lamar to S. 1st St. will close at 10 am.
· The hike and bike trail on the north side of Lady Bird Lake will be closed at 10 am between Lamar and S. 1st St.
· Cesar Chavez between MoPac and Congress will close at 6 pm, reopening at midnight.
· Town Lake to be closed from 8:00 p.m. until midnight between Lamar and S. 1st St.
· S 1st St. Bridge closes to vehicle traffic at 6 pm.

Available Parking
· Convention Center Garages - Paid Parking, 4 pm - 12 am.
· State Garages on Trinity - Paid Parking
· Zilker Park - all hard surface lots
· One Texas Center - Paid Parking, 4 pm - 12 am.
· Palmer Garage - Paid Parking, 4 pm - 12 am.
· City Hall - Paid Parking, normal business hours