Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Happy Birthday, America!

July 4th, Independence Day is always a special day in the United States. This year marks her 231st birthday...a mere youngster by European standards! We are fortunate to live in the small, New England town of Duxbury Massachusetts where the 4th of July is a BIG event.

We have an annual parade here which is quintessentially American. The afternoon parade runs down the main street, named Washington, of course, and many of the residents who live there give big parade parties and everyone comes for lunch and watches the parade. We were fortunate to have Nicholas come home for the event, along with friends of Lindsey's from college and our cousin, Lexie, from Portland, Oregon!











The fire engines always start the parade. As a child i never knew there was actually a reason for this but it's so that if there's a real fire somewhere during the parade they are at the head of the line and can go when and where needed. Their sirens signal the beginning of the parade and they are incredibly loud, all with their sirens blaring! Little children scream, babies cry and old and young alike put their fingers in their ears while they slowly pass by....






Once the fire engines pass by, anything can happen...




The antique cars usually come near the end of the parade. There's a reason for this too. If they break down, which happened today, they don't hold up the parade while they are being pushed along the road or off to the side...


The children line the streets in anticipation of catching the candy the paraders throw along the route. Sarah and a few of her friends awaiting their loot...




After the parade, it's home to regroup before going off to watch evening fireworks!!