Ok, so the 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. I know it only lasts a day, and probably so will this thread, but I still love it and felt the need to say HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!!!
Story Time: Tyler just mentioned on Twitter how he remembers growing up, having to drive down to Missouri to get fireworks every year because they're illegal in Iowa, and how it is the only day that the cops will let it slide. (shooting them off...) This is SO true. I remember doing the same thing and there was one time even, when it almost didn't slide...When I was little, maybe 5 or 6, my dad, sister and I went down to Missouri and got some fireworks (Sparklers, Snaps, etc., things that didn't make a whole lot of noise...) Well, somehow our quiet wasn't quiet enough and the neighbors (we still don't know who...) called the cops on us. I remember the officer standing at the back gate asking us if we had any idea who was setting off fireworks back here and my Dad denying it all...saying all we had were Sparklers and Snaps. (which was true...though still illegal...oops) Anyway, my sister and I were standing right there in our extremely large over-sized t-shirts (she was maybe 8...) waving our Sparklers and laughing, and my parents say it was SO cute...the officer had to let it go. He looked in the bag to make sure we didn't have anything else and then said: "Just be a little quieter, be careful, and have a great holiday!!" I still can't believe we didn't get in more trouble...
It's still one of my best 4th of July memories...EVER.
Do any of you have any favorite 4th of July memories you'd like to share? Any special moments you'll never forget? Any "fireworks" you almost didn't get away with? Let's here it Chasers!!
Oh, and Happy Birthday America and God Bless!!
Note: You don't have to be American to share your holiday memories...I'm sure you Canadian and European Chasers have some pretty awesome holiday stories too. :)
We had the best Fourth of July celebrations in our neighborhood growing up. There was a Civic Association that put it together and it was the highlight of the summer for all the kids.
8 a.m. was a Father-Son softball game (long before anyone would have complained about leaving out females), and it was fun to watch the Dads and older boys take on each other, but let the little kids get to first by committing all kinds of "errors."
11 a.m. Parade!!! Homemade floats based on that year's theme, decorated bicycles, and "walkers" dressed up either according to annual theme or just in a lot of red, white and blue. Led by a fire engine complete with dalmatian in the front seat.
2 p.m. Games in the park. Races, relays, tug of war, an egg toss...I don't remember all of them, but we had a blast. Soft drinks and fudgesicles or creamsicles for those who belonged to the association.
After that, home - hot, tired, and dirty - for the hamburger/hot dog cook-out in the backyard.
Then, in the evening, a street dance for the teenagers. Actually got permission to close off part of the street. Pretty much all I remember of those is hanging around the edges, wishing I was old enough to be part of it.
And after dark - fireworks!!!
Some of my best childhood memories....
I wasn't done but when I hit the return button, it posted! At any rate, I believe this year is my favorite. On Saturday I had a few friends over for a late dinner before the fireworks. Cooked the usually menu and had a leg of lamb and middle eastern dishes, as well, for a change of pace! Dinner and fellowship couldn't have been any better! Saw about 10 different communities' fireworks. After company left I turned on PBS and who do you think, to my surprise, was on at 1am? SNC!! True! I saw the special from the beginning, and it made my day complete! I can't believe that after seeing that same special hundreds of times, I never tire of it! All the good feelings just come right back! I couldn't have planned a more perfect ending to a perfect day!
On top of that, I saw 13 different communities' fireworks on Sunday evening from the balcony, and another 17 tonight! Plans to see from the boat didn't work out this year, and I'm glad. That will be the plan for next year! (record for different communities' fireworks seen from balcony in one night: 23!)
I am praying for a miracle, (which is what it will take) that I'll be able to enjoy more years of fireworks from this balcony, and would appreciate any prayers fellow Chasers would say in agreement with me for that! Thank you.
Hope all Chasers had a great, and safe 4th!
Great thread Michelle! Great comments and happy 4th of July fellow Chasers!
As an adult my favorite memories were watching the Pittsburgh fireworks close up from " The Point", and Detroit and Canada's Freedom Festival fireworks from the river, and Grosse Pts. All three were awesome. Also, would enjoy watching from the 6th floor of my mother's Condo on a hill overlooking the Ohio River. We would see so many fireworks from different boros, townships, cities and communities from all up and down the river from miles and miles away and over many hills! (its a hilly city. Not like Detroit, where they call bump in the road a hill! Sorry Seggie!)
Happy 4th Chasers!!! My mother always sent me to girl scout camp over the 4th (later I found out its because she didn't want me anywhere near fireworks). On the 4th at camp we would always have some sort of "carnival" theme at camp with games. One year we did this but they included a "couselor hunt" where you had the whole camp to find a counselor and take them to the pool so they could "walk the plank" That was a great time, it was even better when I particpated as a counselor and the girls chase me.
Happy Forth to all. wishing everyone a safe 4th.
Happy Fourth to all Chasers: I was reading some comments and it took me back to my days as a kid. My brother and one of his friends used to buy fireworks and the neighbors would come to our backyard where the guys would have our own personal "fireworks show". But I also have to say that was back in the day when private citizens could go out and buy fireworks legally! That is no longer the case in many states. I live in VA and you can not have firewords--big article in the paper over the weekend about the police confiscating fireworks. Colonial Williamsburg always has a hug celebration that most of our citizens go down to see. Strangely, if it is dark enough I can see those fireworks from my bedroom. But I try to watch the "Capital Fourth" on television which I plan to do tonight. Hope all have a safe and fun 4th this year!
Wishing everyone a wonderful and safe 4th. Please take time out of your busy day to thank those who serve and served to keep us safe and enjoy the freedoms that we do, and especially those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. May other countries eventually be blessed to enjoy the same the same things we all too often take for granted.
I want to start off by saying HAPPY 4TH of JULY!!
One of my favorite Canada Day memories was about 5 years ago when I was still living with my parents. They had an above ground pool so I asked if I could throw a Canada Day BBQ. Being the party guru that he is, my dad took me out to get decorations and all kinds of stuff. We came across this colouring you could put in pools so we got Red. Seriously, the pool looked like someone had died in it.. it was RED! It dyed the lining of a few bathing suits which no one (Thank goodnes!) seemed to mind. Still tons of fun though. My friends all thought it was funny actually, since I'm American, that I threw the Canada Day party.
One memory I have of 4th of July while I lived in NY was going to Jones Beach (HUGE beach on Long Island) for their crazy fireworks display. It was amazing! I think at that one they synced it to music which I always thought amazing.
This year, I'm sure will top them all though cause I'm going to a big family BBQ here on Long Island and we'll be watching the Bay Shore fireworks from Tanner Park. Can't get any better than that!
Happy 4th of July to you too Michelle. Nice thread. God Bless