07/01/2007

Old-fashioned Fourth of July 'Best in North'

By Ed Hungness
Local columnist edhungness@
yahoo.com

Read Ed's past columns here

In a few more days we will be celebrating our country's 231st birthday.

It seems like yesterday that we were celebrating the bicentennial. It's hard to imagine that was 31 years ago. Most of us won't get to see the tricentennial, but I'm sure they will have one even though we can't attend.

Of all the holidays that we celebrate, the Fourth of July is one of my favorites. It's what might be described as a no-brainer holiday. We don't have to spend endless hours shopping for gifts. We don't have to drag out boxes full of decorations from the attic. There is no need to endure the cold, stringing lights on bushes and leaning ladders precariously against frozen gutters to hang electrified icicles.

Moms enjoy the Fourth of July, too, and they don't have to bake a turkey, fruitcake, cookies and ham. The whole family isn't coming over expecting a big dinner. Remember all those dirty dishes?

The Fourth of July is a fun holiday for all — no pressure. We get to wear shorts and T-shirts and go swimming in the lake. We eat off paper plates and drink out of plastic cups. Dad does the cooking out on the grill, and the kids all play outside instead of trashing the house.

Cut up the watermelon, chill the beer, throw a few burgers and brats on the grill, buy sweet corn and some potato salad, then just relax. How can it get much better?

Cities, towns and villages all honor the Fourth of July in some fashion. Some celebrations are more extravagant than others.

Myself, I like an old-fashioned Fourth of July like we have in Fife Lake. We refer to it as "The Best Fourth in the North,” but I'm sure everyone favors his town's celebration the best.

We have food vendors and bake sales along with a down-home parade complete with fire trucks (bring your earplugs). Our new library sponsors a silent auction and there is free music in the park. You can watch a baseball game, go swimming at the beach and have a picnic.

It's an all-day affair and you can participate in as much of it as you like. The party peaks after dark with a fantastic fireworks display over the lake.

By the time the last rocket explodes, the kids are ready for bed, tired out from a long day. It's an all-American day and we need to take a few moments to remember all our brave citizens in the military who protect this freedom that we enjoy every day.

Happy Fourth of July, and God bless America!

Ed Hungness and his wife owned their cottage on Fife Lake for six years before moving there after his retirement in 2005. His writing draws from life experiences, fond childhood memories and a love for the outdoors and northern Michigan. He can be reached at edhungness@yahoo.com or care of the Record-Eagle.