Just an Old Fashioned Fourth of July

In a few more days we will be celebrating our country’s 231st birthday. It seems like yesterday that we were celebrating the bicentennial. It’s hard to imagine that was 31 years ago! Most of us won’t get to see the tricentennial but I’m sure they will have one even though we can’t attend. Of all the holidays that we celebrate, The 4th of July is one of my favorites. It’s what might be described as a no-brainer holiday. Just think, we don’t have to spend endless hours shopping for gifts. We don’t have to drag out boxes full of decorations from the attic. There is no need to endure the cold, stringing lights on bushes and leaning ladders precariously against frozen gutters to hang electrified icicles. Moms enjoy The 4th of July too and don’t have to bake a turkey, fruitcake, cookies, and ham. The whole family isn’t coming over expecting a big dinner. Remember all those the dirty dishes? The 4th of July is a fun holiday for all – no pressure. We get to wear shorts and t-shirts and go swimming in the lake. We eat off of paper plates and drink out of plastic cups! Dad does the cooking out on the grill and the kids all play outside instead of trashing the house. Cut up the watermelon, chill the beer, throw a few burgers & brats on the grill, buy sweetcorn and some potato salad then just relax. How can it get much better? Cities, towns and villages all honor the 4th of July in some fashion. Some celebrations are more extravagant than others. Myself, I like an old fashioned 4th of July like we have in Fife Lake. We refer to it as “The Best 4th in the North” but I’m sure everyone favors their town’s celebration the best. We have food vendors and bake sales along with a down-home parade complete with fire trucks. (Bring your earplugs.) Our new library sponsors a silent auction and there is free music in the park. You can watch a baseball game, go swimming at the beach and have a picnic. It’s an all day affair and you can participate in as much of it as you like. The party peaks after dark with a fantastic fireworks display over the lake. By the time the last rocket explodes, the kids are ready for bed, tired out from a long day. It’s an All-American day and we need to take a few moments to remember all our brave citizens in the military who protect this freedom that we enjoy every day. Happy 4th of July and God Bless America!

 

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