The Fourth of July is upon us. Tell me, is the Fourth much of a holiday in your parts? It is here, in lovely Whitefish Bay – we have a parade and a big community party followed by fireworks. Very festive. Growing up in the sticks, though, it wasn’t much of anything. A few firecrackers (lit under empty tin cans if we were really feeling ambitious), and maybe a ride to the closest “big town” for a 10-minute firework display.
Having just been in Washington D.C. and seeing the document that started it all, I’m all for celebrating our freedom. We also happened to be at the World War II memorial when a group of veterans, all in matching shirts emblazoned with their regiment number, were having a tour. It was incredibly moving to see these dear elderly people who were just kids when they risked everything to protect our freedom. Amazing.
We’re lucky to take our freedom for granted, but I hope to take a few minutes over the weekend to reflect on all we have.
How about you? Will you celebrate?
15 Comments
July 2, 2009 at 6:13 am
um, sorry to be superficial but the 4th means rootbeer floats, ribs on the grill, corn and watermelon to me. mmmm
July 2, 2009 at 6:29 am
It’s a big deal here, too. Dale’s band works all day doing a parade in the morning, a concert at a VA hospital in the afternoon, and a concert on Cape Cod in the evening. I don’t see much of him on July 4th and we don’t have a family celebration which is kind of a bummer but I know that people love to hear them play so the sacrifice is worth it.
July 2, 2009 at 7:25 am
Have a wonderful 4th. Flag on the porch day for me. Maybe, grilling, but the big fireworks display on the riverfront is not for me. It is spectacular, though;-P
July 2, 2009 at 7:27 am
It’s not such a big deal for me. 4th of July in the desert means fires and sunburn. In fact, it’s been so dry here that the city has cancelled the last several fireworks displays. When I was a kid and my aunt had a pool, it was a big family day, but nothing has measured up since.
July 2, 2009 at 8:06 am
Relaxing…that’s the best thing about the 4th. We’ll catch a parade and hang a flag. After that it’s patio and cold cocktail time.
July 2, 2009 at 8:34 am
I’m an Army Brat, and the fourth for me has always been about independence, getting together with other Americans (we did a number of years in Germany) and celebrating what it means to be American (from the Declaration of Independence to hot dogs and watermelon). As an adult, I moved to Boston, where I can go see the Declaration of Independence read from the steps of the old statehouse, or watch the USS Constitution under sail, but most years I just bask with the crazies up way way way too early to get a prime fireworks watching spot.
July 2, 2009 at 9:32 am
Our little town here also has a charming parade and fair, and that’s what the 4th means to me. Also, we’ll take in our County Fair sometime over the weekend. I entered a knitted stole — I can’t wait to see if the judges were kind to me or not. They have a great fireworks display every night at the County Fair, too.
July 2, 2009 at 10:12 am
There are several community events here, but sadly no parade… I love parades.
Lots of block parties, a three (four?) day rodeo complete with fireworks every night.
July 2, 2009 at 12:01 pm
It’s another chance for drunken yahoos to try to burn down the county. With fewer firefighters this year, they may get their wish. There’s a parade and public fireworks, but it’s not safe to go because of all the drunken yahoos.
Woo?
July 2, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Yowza, Cookie–sounds awful. You know, I HATE being around people who are drunk. I enjoy a beer or a glass of wine or even a margarita as much as the next person but when someone moves into slurring or melancholy or repeating themselves…get me out of there!
July 2, 2009 at 12:23 pm
We go to a friends party on the lake every year for our celebration. Good friends and good food. Have a fun and safe holiday weekend!
July 2, 2009 at 2:22 pm
I love the meaning behind the holiday but the day itself has devolved into drunken blazes. I wish CA would ban fireworks all together, so much of it went up in flames last year.
OTOH, I’ll be at the pancake breakfast tomorrow and the parade. It’s nice and small town family feeling and I’ve gone since 197……..a long, long time.
July 2, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Saturday! Not tomorrow. Tomorrow I’ll be basking in the joy that’s a day of Not Going To The Office.
July 3, 2009 at 5:24 am
As a child growing up in a small city we always went to the fireworks display at one of the city’s park. My dad would strategically find a perfect spot on a nearby hill. I longed to be on the field below,but the traffic would be horrendous! I do remember hating the finale.
As my children were growing up, we always went to Vermont. Three couples co-owned a house up in the Manchester area. The property would be filled with tents as friends gathered for the weekend. There would be up to 15 children roaming the grounds. The highlight for them would be the homemade ice cream they helped make and the pinata. After a cookout, some of the dads would prepare the homemade firework display, something we wives shook our heads about. It always was a fabulous weekend. The house was sold about 9 years ago and our children are now adults. One of the sons became a movie producer and he made a video of our gatherings at the house which was amazing.
In the present we gather one day at my brother’s cottage on the Ct. shore and then gather together with the VT. crew. Of late we drive to Tanglewood in Lenox,Ma. for a concert and fireworks display. This year we’ll see Diana Krall. The tradition of 4th with friends continues!
July 3, 2009 at 7:26 am
I do not know about what happens around here. I prefer getting together with family for the day and taking it easy.