It is true? Has the 4th of July really already come and gone in '08? I love the 4th of July and it always makes me a little bit sad when it is over. At least we still have the 24th to look forward to. This year (and ever other year in recent memory) we went to visit my Grandparents in Circleville (where?). All of my cousins, aunts, uncles, parents and siblings travel to Circleville for the holiday. Most spend the weekend and we get our fill of good ol' family fun, small town living and holiday fun. My kids absolutely love to visit their Great-Grandparents.
Let me just give you the run down on the festivities on the 4th. First, we start out the day at 5:45 am (usually it starts around 5:AM) when the town sets off dynamite, that resembles cannons, for about thirty minutes. I HATE this tradition and have my entire life. The majority of the dynamite is lit directly behind my Grandparent's house. It just about gives you a heart attack, seriously! Especially when you are sleeping in a tent in the back yard, which we usually do. I will say that the day gets much better from there on.
After breakfast, waiting in line to shower, and getting ready for the day, we head out to the parade. It is the best parade ever (ha, ha, ha). My kids love it because they score tons of candy. The parade is a small parade by most town's standards, but hey once they get to the end of town, they turn around and come back. Doubling your pleasure and doubling your fun! I put some pictures in my slide show. Best of all, if you want to participate, you just need to show up on time and you're in. My niece Sydney and nephew Braden love to ride their bikes in the parade. Sydney won 1st place in the bike decorating contest and Braden took home 2nd runner up. They both scored some candy bar and soda pop trophies. Sydney also won $5.
Next it is time for the program to honor our military services. This is a big deal for them, and it should be to all Americans. The program is about 45 minutes long and they do a nice job. The town does a nice lunch right after the program, but our family just heads back to Grandma's for a pot-luck lunch. It is so yummy!
Now the fun really begins for the kids (and two of my brothers who like to try and out run the other). The kids ages 1 and up gather to run races. This year Rowen won the 1 year old boy race and Lexi took second in the 5 year old girl race. They both won a otter pop and some $$$. They did a great job. Rowen was so funny, he got half way through the race and everyone started to cheer and it scared him. He started to cry and almost ran back to Brad. But when he realized that I was on the finish line, he came running to me.
After all the races are complete the carnival (I use this term lightly) begins and the kids get to buy tickets to use at the many fun booths. Everyone comes home a winner with lots of prizes to keep them busy for the weekend. All in all, by the end of the day everyone is pooped. We all just crash in the nice air conditioned house. Where we remain until the fireworks begin at nightfall. We don't even have to go anywhere to watch the extravaganza because it's right behind Grandpa's house. What a great way to end such a fun day.
2 comments:
Looks like gool ol' hometown fun. Sometimes the smaller cities do a better job at keeping the feel for the holidays. Loooks like everyone had a ton of fun, your kids look so cute.
We go to Grace, Id. for the rodeo and parade at Jeffs grandparents home. It's exactly like the parade you described. Lots of candy, and turns around and comes back down the same road. I thought it was hilarious the first time I saw it. Ahhhh for small towns.
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