Happy Fourth of July!!!
There are few days that we wait for all year through. “The Fourth” is one of them. We suffer the long winters here for a glimpse of the summer’s freedom. Heavy coats are out of sight, out of mind. Boots are collecting dust in a closet. These staples of New England life are gladly traded for bathing suits & flip-flops.
Vacation time is finessed into a delicate balance: stay home, go away, rent a cottage, head to the ‘Cape’ or visit family. Plans are sometimes made a year in advance. The week of the fourth is worth its weight in gold.
As family & friends are gathered, the traditions of this day are held dear to our hearts whether you’re celebrating at home or away. Usually there is a parade in town. Hand decorated floats maneuver down the streets. The local teams & organizations are well represented as they pass on flatbed trailers wrapped with red, white & blue bunting. The High School Marching Band never disappoints us with “Stars & Stripes Forever”, a tribute to both the USA & John Philip Sousa. The crowd roars as they pass by. Usually there is a crepe-paper decorated convertible with a selected “Miss” with a delicate tiara from a local pageant waving to her admirers. Clowns walk the sidelines handing out candy and blowing up balloon animals. Kids on bikes trail blaze along the route as they participate in the parade in their own manner. The crowd is bejeweled & bedecked in every possible combination of red, white & blue conceivable with a flag in every hand. WOW! It just doesn’t get any better than this…. until the food comes!
Barbeques are fired up. Corn is husked. Out come the potato & macaroni salads. Hot dogs, hamburgers, lobster boils & ribs are the order of the day. Until the desserts come! Strawberry shortcake, brownies, ice cream sundaes, cheesecake laden with patriotic berries are all consumed with delight. No calories are counted on the holidays!
As if it still couldn’t get any better, the evening usually hosts a band concert serenading the crowd anticipating the fireworks. What a perfect finish to the day.
Enjoy this day in your favorite fashion. As you celebrate, please remember to also honor those who serve/ have served our great country. This day is ours to celebrate because of them.
Cathy
BOSTON: http://www.july4th.org/
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