(If you want a detailed description of Independence Day in our small town, you can read my comments from last year . )
I guess the best part of the 4th of July is the parade and vendors. Main Street is blocked off early in the morning for the annual "Fun Run". Floats, bands, and other parade entries line up in the high school parking lot for judging. Vendor booths line both sides of the street, with clubs, civic organizations, churches, and businesses selling everything from artwork to hot dogs.
What would the 4th of July be without food booths?
People crowd the street (this is earlier in the day before the parade. It quickly gets filled)
Of course, there is the parade itself, with running commentary from the mayor, the county commisioner, and a local auctioneer. For first time visitors, the jokes and introductions are a little quaint. But I'm finding that the longer I live here, the more I get them. But what is really impressive about our city's 4th of July parade is at the beginning, when the color gaurd halts before the reveiw stand. At the prompting of the mayor, the crowd stands, puts their hands on their hearts, and listens as the national anthem is sung. It's stirring and sentimental and patriotic....and a reminder that there is an entire America that embraces values apart from those of certain major metropolitan areas and academic/political strongholds.
Okay, enough editorializing.....back to the parade:
The old and the new come together with vintage fire trucks and more modern equipment
Hey fellas, looking for that perfect gift for your wife? Fancy cars are also part of the 4th fun.
For the first time in many years, we did not go to the football stadium to watch the fireworks show. We have a fairly decent view from our back yard, so we decided to stay home. It still made for a late night, but an enjoyable day as we celebrated our country's birthday.
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