Did you know the last time we published a paper on Independence Day was in 2019?
While I just think that’s an interesting tidbit, it also serves to add more nostalgic daydreaming to my Monday afternoon.
Over the years, I’ve participated in and attended many different Independence Day celebrations.
And sure, roughly 90% of them always feature fireworks in some capacity, but, the most memorable ones that stick out in my mind are miles away or now defunct.
Take for example the most memorable one for me was spent shivering in a severely dated hotel in South Dakota.
Honestly, I’ve tried to block out everything else about being in the hotel, but the fireworks show over the forest and mountainside.
It was chillier than I expected it to be back then, but we braved the cooler temperatures to marvel and awe at the fireworks display that we happened to catch on accident.
After all, we were worn out from traveling and trying to make the best of fighting over sibling sleeping arrangements in our room.
But, that highlight still stands out in my mind and made up for having to spend hours cramped in the Jeep with my brother whining to play videogames.
The other one I remember most is hard to place because the year escapes me, but the experience is still there.
Either way, I’m sure some of our readers will also remember when the city and airport used to host a grand July 4th celebration with an airshow, fireworks, and a variety of family-friendly activities.
There are several instances in my life where I recall watching the show from the side of the highway and at the actual airport.
My younger brother was obsessed with the airshow and I was drawn to the wing walkers and overall performances in the carnival-like atmosphere.
There was also at least one year where I can recall a motorcycle/car meet going on and a dunk tank featuring local officials.
Plus it had the standard bounce houses and a variety of vendors with food, clothing, and other wares.
It used to be such a huge annual event that I was sad to see it go!
I mean, it was something I could count on to break up the hot, sticky monotony of summer.
Unfortunately, when that happened I was already in college and focused elsewhere, so I never heard the reasoning for why it was shut down.
Honestly, I think something similar should be brought back.
It’s not that I dislike the Le Tulle Park event we have now, I just feel like it could have bigger sources of entertainment like the Day of the Dead Festival.
But, that would also require more money spent and quite possibly lend itself to having attendees having to pay for the experience.
As it stands now, our current “Freedom Fireworks” is free to the public and I think we’d all rather like to keep it that way, right?
Despite all of that, I still think my favorite Independence Day traditions are the ones my family makes – even if the dogs hate the sound of fireworks we do strive to keep them indoors or on leashes.
