4th of July
Historically, 4th of July wasn't a favorite holiday of mine. I'm all for America, pancakes, parades, flag waving and saluting veterans, but I don't like loud noises. Fireworks are pretty, but you can keep them, thanks. Since then, I've grown to appreciate what the 4th of July means to America and remember to bring ear plugs with me not only to work where fireworks are a near nightly occurrence but to any celebration where loud noises may be present.
As a child, 4th of July found me more often than not celebrating down at the Old Town Clayton parade; a small festivity that has grown to be quite the production today. Clayton is a sleepy little suburb at best, but on 4th of July it swells to be a noisy, red white and blue raucous. For years, my dad has volunteered at the Rotary Club pancake breakfast on the 4th... slinging cakes and fighting away greedy wasps from the syrup. The parade which covers less than four blocks consists of all the police cars and firetrucks they can recruit, some vintage cars, some newer convertibles, about five floats and an endless stream of kids on bikes, tricycles and towed in wagons all decorated up with patriotic pride. After the parade there are carnival games to try, booths selling crafts and fattening food and a re-enacting of some shootout... which is relevant in some way. Later on in the evening, we'd have a spectacular view of all of the fireworks displays in Clayton Valley and the surrounding areas... sometimes as far as across the Sacramento river to Benicia and Vacaville and then over to Pleasant Hill and downtown Concord. The Singing Flag and the Pavilion fireworks are the closest although I'm not sure if they do the latter show anymore. Then if the live shows are all over you can always turn on PBS and watch "A Capital 4th" re-runs over and over. I remember thinking last time I was up for 4th at home which was in college that every night should have such celebration and fireworks... now I work at a place where we do. Almost every night.
Sometimes I get nostalgic for our small town celebration back home. I miss the neighborhood parties and the food... watching the rockets from up on the hill and hearing the dull thuds that echo off the hills. These days I don't do much for the 4th anymore besides head to work and celebrate with the masses there. But I do miss the pancakes, the silly little parade and all the patriotism our little East Bay had to offer. I suppose I'm lucky I don't live in Garden Grove where I am told people shoot their guns in the air on the 4th of July and New Years. I'll take bottle rockets and roman candles over that any day, thanks.
As a child, 4th of July found me more often than not celebrating down at the Old Town Clayton parade; a small festivity that has grown to be quite the production today. Clayton is a sleepy little suburb at best, but on 4th of July it swells to be a noisy, red white and blue raucous. For years, my dad has volunteered at the Rotary Club pancake breakfast on the 4th... slinging cakes and fighting away greedy wasps from the syrup. The parade which covers less than four blocks consists of all the police cars and firetrucks they can recruit, some vintage cars, some newer convertibles, about five floats and an endless stream of kids on bikes, tricycles and towed in wagons all decorated up with patriotic pride. After the parade there are carnival games to try, booths selling crafts and fattening food and a re-enacting of some shootout... which is relevant in some way. Later on in the evening, we'd have a spectacular view of all of the fireworks displays in Clayton Valley and the surrounding areas... sometimes as far as across the Sacramento river to Benicia and Vacaville and then over to Pleasant Hill and downtown Concord. The Singing Flag and the Pavilion fireworks are the closest although I'm not sure if they do the latter show anymore. Then if the live shows are all over you can always turn on PBS and watch "A Capital 4th" re-runs over and over. I remember thinking last time I was up for 4th at home which was in college that every night should have such celebration and fireworks... now I work at a place where we do. Almost every night.
Sometimes I get nostalgic for our small town celebration back home. I miss the neighborhood parties and the food... watching the rockets from up on the hill and hearing the dull thuds that echo off the hills. These days I don't do much for the 4th anymore besides head to work and celebrate with the masses there. But I do miss the pancakes, the silly little parade and all the patriotism our little East Bay had to offer. I suppose I'm lucky I don't live in Garden Grove where I am told people shoot their guns in the air on the 4th of July and New Years. I'll take bottle rockets and roman candles over that any day, thanks.