I grew up in and around Huntsville during that time. Back around 1965 or 66 (I was 8 or 9, so my memory isn't very precise), I got to watch a Saturn V first stage static test firing. I'm pretty sure it was the full stage and not a single F-1 engine. The flames hit the blast bucket and curled hundreds of feet into the air. I was 3 miles away and very impressed. That's the closest to a launch that I've ever been.

A good friend of mine was in the VIP viewing stands 3 miles away from the pad when Apollo 17, the only Saturn V night launch, went up. I'm still jealous. That had to be spectacular.