4th of July

The concept of "Happy Birthday 'Merica" does bring back some fond memories. Baseball. Good weather. People generally in a good mood...

Since I'm not an American, I've never celebrated that. But I did always enjoy BBQ's with family and friends.

My parents were "patriotic" enough, but I don't remember that this holiday was any big deal when I was growing up. I wasn't in school during July, so it wasn't like I got the day off. I wasn't as impressed by fireworks as some others obviously were. Not to say I wouldn't watch them when they went off, but I never got any enormous charge out of it. Sometimes my uncle (from Florida) would stop by and he'd give me some mini (and I do mean mini) fireworks that I think were called "salutes", fireworks...if you want to call them that...that my friends and I disposed of in about 10 minutes, thankfully without blowing off any fingers. Ironically, as an adult, I had a friend who threw an enormous party every 4th of July (considering that he drank himself senseless at every party he ever threw, every holiday, including Arbor Day and Yom Kippur, became cause for an "enormous party"). He'd drive hours into Pennsylvania and spend approximately $1,000 dollars or more on fireworks. When darkness fell... Read more

When I was real little I always remember being able to sit right in my front yard with my family and watch the fireworks. It was always something that was pretty amazing to me. But now, I feel much differently. It's not something that I have to see now. However, just like when I was little, I live in a house where I can see them right from my front yard if I want.

Summer was great as a child with most days the same as the day before. The 4th of July was the one day during that time that was guaranteed to be exciting and special no matter where my family was at that time. I remember learning that sparklers were still hot even after being doused in water. Thats a clear memory. My father was a government employee, so he always had off that day. That would mean a cook-out, and heading out to see fireworks when the sun went down. We got the opportunity to see the fireworks on the National Mall many times, which is a fun experience. When we didn't head down to DC for the fireworks, I remember a neighbor's backyard firework display, my two older cousins giving us a show when we visited them in Wisconsin, and a firework zipping by my head when we were on vacation at some place where we slept in a renovated caboose. Even as an adult the 4th of July is something that I love. Last year was fun, because I was with a lot of family. We were in St. Augustine... Read more

Growing up in Canada, this was just another day.

I always liked the 4th of July, and when I was little we used to make homemade ice cream and stay up and watch neighbors shoot off fireworks. The 4th of July didn't really get good until I was 16. Then I had a driver's license, and could drive across the state line to buy the good fireworks, not just the piddly sparklers and snakes that my state allowed.

Fireworks show near the river. I loved watching the fireworks reflect off of the water.

We went to a friends house in downtown Phoenix to watch the fireworks from her pool. She lived only a 1/2 mile from the fireworks show.

We celebrate Canada Day, where I live, sort of the 4th of July.  I really look forward to it, because of the fireworks and BBQ.

Watching a fireworks show is fine and dandy as far as I'm concerned. I can enjoy that. But MY families 4th of July traditions are a little different. My mom's whole family goes to my aunts house and has a barbeque. There are lots of fun things to do. They usually have Scrabble and Badminton tournaments to keep everyone appeased until the fireworks start. That was the kids' responsibility, well, mainly the boys. We would all go separately with our parents before hand and get all of our favorites. It was kind of a competition to see who could get the best stuff, but for some reason I always had to suck it up and get all the bottle rockets (no prestige, but somebody had to get them). It was as if we were responsible for the single most important part of the celebration and I can't describe the amount of excitement and anticipation I felt every year as it approached Independence Day. Nowadays there are great-grandchildren to get excited about it and me and my cousins (a couple of... Read more

It was usually a nice warm night,and we'd all go down to the beach to see the fireworks- which have always been thrilling and romantic to me.The boom and the pretty colors across the night sky,even the smell of the gunpowder and firecrackers was welcome.We loved waving the sparklers,and now I can enjoy watching my niece and nephews have the same fun.

Great memories. All the relatives got together at my parents house for BBQ and fireworks. They were good times.