Why does it have to be one or the other?
Everything up in the sky is exciting in its own way, even the
clouds. Eclipses don't happen every day, so I see nothing
wrong with paying special attention to them. I have seen a
fair number of lunar eclipses since I was a kid and each one
is exciting to me, including this latest one. I even found
watching it during the total phase quite peaceful.
What I don't like is when the only time that people look up
at the night sky when its fireworks season. There may be
a more immediate gratification from the nearby and very
active displays of exploding powder, but that is no excuse.