Top Places to Celebrate the Fourth of July
Discover these fun and patriotic Independence Day celebrations around the country
By E’Louise Ondash, RN, contributor
Picnics, parades and the rockets’ red glare will be seen from sea to shining sea this weekend as communities celebrate Independence Day. Look a little harder and you’ll find cities and towns that also mark the Fourth of July with sandcastle contests, watermelon eating contests, zip lines, lawn mower races and pogo stick competitions--among other all-American activities.
Whether you prefer big cities or small towns, here are just a few of the special places where people are coming together for their own unique Independence Day celebrations. If you’re in the neighborhood, join the fun!
BIG CITIES
Philadelphia
It seems appropriate to start where it all began, since the Declaration of Independence was signed in this historic city in 1776. Philadelphia’s patriotic pageantry includes a parade with more than 6,000 participants from across the country. The parade commences at 11 a.m. at 5th and Chestnut streets. As the sun sets, enjoy the Philly 4th of July Jam with local and national musicians and singers, then cap off the day with fireworks exploding over the Museum of Art.
More information.
Chicago
It claims to be the largest food festival in the world with food trucks galore and more; it’s the Taste of Chicago, which began in 1980 as a one-day event. Now the festival spans 10 days, is attended by 3 million people and features all types of cuisine--ethnic, exotic, family fare and Chicago favorites. Admission is free, and tastes are about $2.50 each. There’s also entertainment on three stages, cooking demos by top chefs and fireworks over Lake Michigan on Friday, July 3. Find it all at Grant Park. Can’t get enough of the fireworks? There will be another dazzling show staged off Navy Pier on the July 4. You can also party in style with a three-hour cruise on Lake Michigan that includes a buffet dinner, dancing and a view of the Navy Pier fireworks from the water.
More information.
New Orleans
In Louisiana’s Crescent City, you get two for the price of none--a free, double fireworks show launched from two barges docked in the Mississippi River. See the extravaganza from almost anywhere in the area, but prime spots include Woldenberg Park at the Moon Walk (the riverside promenade named after former mayor Maurice “Moon” Landrieu), or on the other side of the river in Algiers. Local radio stations (101.9 FM, 105.3 FM and 870 AM) feature synchronized music. New Orleans riverboats, the Creole Queen and the Steamboat Natchez, offer special 4th of July cruises.
More information.
St. Louis
This year’s Fourth of July celebration runs three days, beginning July 2. Stroll Fair St. Louis in historic Forest Park. It includes the Family Festival Zone, games, food, “the longest, tallest mobile zipline in the country,” and free concerts. This year’s artists, among others, are Melissa Etheridge and Kool and the Gang. Watch the big fireworks July 4 from the park’s Art Hill in front of the art museum at 10 p.m.
More information.
San Diego
This city’s 2012 fireworks extravaganza is now the stuff of Fourth of July legends. Instead of going off on schedule, the pyrotechnics on the barges in the bay exploded all at once. Last year, however, all went off without a hitch, and organizers predict the same for this year. The Big Bay Boom fireworks will be loaded onto four barges and promoters say the show will be bigger and better than ever.
More information, including a listing of fireworks displays around San Diego County.
MEDIUM-SIZE CITY
Eugene, Oregon and Lane County
If you are in the vicinity of Eugene, Ore., or Lane County (population 356,212), you’ll have your pick of many activities on the Fourth, including lawn mower races in Oakridge, the Gem Faire in Eugene, and an outdoor concert and fireworks along the Willamette River.
More information.
SMALL TOWNS
Cody, Wyoming
Called the Rodeo Capital of the World, Cody (population 9,833) is where you can find the real thing. It all started with the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show more than a century ago. The Cody Stampede runs July 1 to July 4 and features 800 top contestants competing for more than $400,000. If time permits, drive an hour west and you’ll be at the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park and all its wonders.
More information.
Cayucos, California
You’ve probably never heard of Cayucos (population 2,592), 115 miles north of Santa Barbara on California’s scenic-rich Highway 1. This small, picturesque beach town is fun to visit anytime, but when the Fourth of July rolls around, well, it’s all hometown fun--food, parade, sand sculpture event (for novices and pros), and pyrotechnics off the pier. Miles of beach makes Cayucos the quintessential place to celebrate Independence Day. The annual Peddler’s Fair runs July 3 to July 5 and features vendors selling antiques, homemade crafts, flea market items, clothing, jewelry and more.
More information.
Grand Junction, Colorado
You haven’t lived until you’ve tasted a Palisade peach fresh off the tree or baked in a pie. You’ll find them in and around Grand Junction, Colo. (population 59,000), about 250 miles west of Denver, just south of Interstate 70. The Fourth of July is just the right time to pull all that succulent fruit off the trees in neighboring orchards. And if you haven’t heard of Colorado Wine Country, well, this is it. There are at least 15 wineries nearby. The valley sits against the dramatic backdrop of the Book Cliffs, and a river--the Colorado--runs through it. An old-fashioned parade marches through the delightful downtown starting at 10 a.m. Fireworks in Lincoln Park at 9:45 p.m.
More information.
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