July 4th Traditions

We have pretty much been doing the same thing for the 4th of July ever since - well - forever! We have missed the festivities for several years but now that we are living here - we are right back in the swing of things! The celebration might include the hot air balloon festival, perhaps the downtown carnival, and occasionally the Stadium of Fire (it's actually been years since we've gone) but the definite events are the Freedom Festival parade and the extended family picnic at the park. Even before I was born, Grandma Beck and Aunt Iris were organizing the picnic and games (I've seen old family movies of picnics at Veteran's Park when my older siblings were just children). Last year, Aunt Iris passed away at the age of 98 and she was the last of that generation. Since we all moved up a generation, my mom and her siblings are now the senior generation of the family. Time goes by...

It all starts with the parade. We always sit in the same location - with our secret parking spots. It was a small crowd compared to years past. Grandma Beck and Iris used to get there extra early to save seats and when everyone arrived, they would start passing out the puffed rice balls. They continued this tradition well into their 80's!

After the parade, it's off to the park for the family picnic.

Don't be fooled by the fact that she is in a wheelchair. She still made the potato salad and stuffed eggs.

Brad and Heather have been in charge of the games for several years now and they do a fantastic job. Here are Amy and Cate getting ready for the three-legged race.

And here is Amy shoving her own son out of the way to beat him to the finish line! Yeah Amy - I caught you in the act!

After the picnic - we were invited to Dave and Connie's for a hot dog roast. SJ got lucky enough to get a ride on the parachute.