The town that I grew up in had an amazing celebration for this holiday...in fact it still does. It's usually a festival that lasts at least three days. Of course it starts with a parade! And ends with fireworks!
There are rides and games and a pancake breakfast and bingo and everyone is there! And as we grew up and went away to college...we still met friends there over the years. You just knew that people made it a point to be there for July 4th.
My dad loved this holiday and spent the day cooking and prepping the back yard and getting ready for his own fireworks display. There was a refrigerator in his garage that was stocked with fireworks. My mom hated it...my dad could not wait to set them off. And every year his stash would get bigger and louder.
When we were all home for that holiday and he had my brothers and Dennis to "assist" the smoke was so thick we could barely see. And every single year my dad bought sparklers for me...they remain to this day my favorite July 4th tradition. I still remember the pinches of pain from the sparks on my arms...which brings me to this...found on Pinterest...a safe way to hold sparklers.
Who knew?
So...in our little family for tomorrow...we have flags out and our menu is set and we are going to set up our kiddie pool by the hammock by the pond and grill and have root beer floats and maybe light a sparkler or two!
I want to set up croquet but it's too too hot!
I think I will always love the Fourth Of July!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
It sounds like it's going to be a blast! I love the 4th of July : ) I hope you have a fabulously, spectacular holiday : ) ~ Jess
ReplyDeleteJess...thank you!
DeleteThe same to you!
I love sparklers too!
ReplyDeleteWe make a great sparkle loving team!
DeleteI love this holiday, as corny as our celebration may be. The festival is just a part of us. I remember being eager to attend every year, deciding what to wear, who you hoped to see, etc. And we always watched the fireworks from our back porch. Things have changed, but we can still see the fireworks over the trees from our backyard deck. And I love sparklers just as much now as I did then. I have been watching the "carnies" set up since Sunday; each time I drive by they are in a different stage of completion. Today it is raining--hope there is no rain for the parade. Carol H
ReplyDeleteCarol...I know...there will always be something special about it and fireman French fries with vinegar!!!
DeleteI love the original sparklers but the ones they have our here are just not the same.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you have planned for your menu? We are just grilling burgers and hot dogs but I am making a baked potato salad that I found on Pinterest with bacon and chives and lots of mayo. It just hit me that I have no dessert yet. Darn.
BTW...we have the whole parade/pancake breakfast thing in Old Town Newhall but we've never gone! We used to go to the fireworks show but after a family got run down two years ago during the event (car ran a red light), it has lost its lustre. BTW, they were in the spot that we normally camp out in, but that year it was hot and I was having a lupus flare up so we stayed home. Freaked me out. The poor mother died.
ReplyDeleteYep...we are happier at home, too!
ReplyDeleteI always remember barbecues, parades, and fireworks in my hometown, too; and thinking about those past events leaves me nostalgic. But I, too, have new traditions. Sometimes they change from year to year. Enjoy your Fourth!
ReplyDelete