ok i know you ladies don't have bonfire night like we do in the uk but my question is would you takeyour 8 month old to a bonfire and firework party? i am not sure of his reaction to fireworks both the sight and sound of them or a large fire. maybe i could do a trial run and let off a few fireworks in the garden? ok maybe i amswered my own question,but what is your expereince of your children around bonfires/fireworks?

every child acts differently.
my first son, now 4, has always and still hates fireworks. he has just gotten where he is not afraid of fire. of corse i still want him to be a little afraid, for safety reasons, but up until this last year he would scream at the sight of fire, even in fire places. even when he was like 7 or 8 months old. but now he thinks it's neat and understands that it isn't going to hurt him as long as he doesn't get too close. I though he would enjoy the sight of fireworks, but hates them and screams and/or cries when they go off. he will watch them out the window, but wants to be nowhere near them.
like i said every child is different. my 14 month old loves them. the first time he heard one go off, he kinda cried, but when he saw how pretty, he loved it. and loves the sight of fire. but says hot hot, when he sees anything that is red, even if it's just a red light. it is so cute.
i would just maybe try a few and see how he does. and you could always go and leave if you need to.
well good luck and i hope he enjoys it, sounds like fun.

We took Devin (our 5 month old daughter) to fireworks at the 4th of July. She loved watching the colors and didn't seem to mind the VERY loud noises. I wonder if she might be more sensitive to it now though?? I think it sound like a lot of fun for you and your family. My personal belief is to try and expose her to many new and varied experiences. Could you make an early exit if he gets scared or restless? I've found the baby is great excuse to leave things early if you want to. Hee heee!!!

My son is 6 months old and has been to fireworks twice and fell asleep during both of them. He even been to the circus and stayed awake for the dogs and elephants and fallen asleep during the loudest part (man being shot from a canon). I think he'd be fine. If he doesn't like them, you can always leave early -- unfortantly! HAVE FUN and GOOD LUCK!!