A Talk of the Sound reader asks:

...the beach in front of the Indoor Pavilion at Five Islands was blocked off to the public during the Fourth of July fireworks display? Police were stopping the public from entering the area by saying it was a 'private' party. The bathrooms were off-limits also. Why would there be a 'private' party allowed at a 'public' park on a 'national' holiday?

Talk of the Sound contacted Parks & Rec Honco Bill Zimmerman and got the following answer:

Our July 4th – Spark the Sound Fireworks program event is supported annually by sponsors and community partners since the inception of this required fundraising effort in 2002. The event sponsors and their guests enjoy a bar-b-que dinner event at the Five Islands Oakwood Pavilion in recognition of their contribution to the Firework display. The park remains open all day, but restricted to the general public to insure we can safely produce this display and control capacity; additional port-a-san rest rooms are installed for this large community event combined with free, donated product distributions as well.

You asked, we get the answer!