Chicago's Mag Mile Lights Festival: Distant Parade and Bubble Fireworks

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On the ground, it was the usual great crush of people for the 2010 edition of Chicago's Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, the Disneyfied, rodent-infused kick-off of the Christmas shopping season.

The view from the top of my home was a bit distant, but far less crowded - me sharing the rooftop with a small handful of others braving the bitter chill.