The Fourth Of July!

As my partner is fond of saying. “Oh no after the Fourth of July, the summer is over.....” As a child growing up , I had some of the best times on the 4TH.  I Grew up in an Idyllic little town, Wakefield, Massachusetts.   We had absolutely “Epic” celebrations on the 4Th of July, starting wit Bicycle and doll carriage Parades, games and of course a massive Parade that had all kinds of bands, floats and military equipment from Camp Curtis Guild in town.  A couple years they actually rolled tanks through the city which to a young boy was awesome.  Along the route they would sell balloons, and all of those other things that appealed to kids, rubber swords, Monkeys on a stick etc.  It was certainly something to behold, and the best thing is that my maternal grandmother lived along the parade route, so amazingly we could go up to the second floor bedroom and slide out the window to sit on the porch roof and watch with an unobstructed view.
Now as amazing as that was, the evening fireworks over Lake Quannapowitt.  They had a bandstand where an American Indian band played music and the usual popcorn and cotton candy wagons. Ice cream vendors were seemingly on every corner.  The Fireworks display itself was something to behold with ground fireworks, and the standard 30 minute display with the rock-em-sock-em finale.  Ah the memories..... Hope you have a happy Fourth-wherever you are!