The United States’ Independence Day is coming on 4 July, and, whether a parade and fireworks, Americana and music, a barbecue, or getting out in nature is in order, there are plenty of options to mark the occasion.
Fireworks in New York
New York offers a huge dose of cinematic US skyline that, on Independence Day, will be lit up by fireworks while neighbourhood events and parties go on below, such as Coney Island’s notorious Hot Dog Eating Contest. Look out for Macy’s Macy’s Fourth of July Spectacular, the largest display in the country and a much-anticipated fixture on the pyrotechnic calendar, this year promising a performance made up of over 80,000 shells, launched from East River barges near the Brooklyn Bridge.
History in Boston and Williamsburg
The Boston Harborfest, Boston, Massachusetts takes place for over a week around Indepndence Day, in what some like to call the cradle of America, at what has to be one of the most iconic locations in the revolution. Expect reenactments, walking tours and educational programs, as well as evening concerts and fireworks.
For the Daddy of all historical re-enactments and old-school Americana, Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia lays on a free extravaganza, filling the authentic 18th-century town with re-enactors. Key moments from US history such as “Thomas Jefferson” reading the Declaration of Independence will take place and in the evening a patriotic concert rammed with marching tunes and crowd favourites will precede the main event – fireworks accompanied by classical music.
Nashville
Talking of music, Nashville, Tennessee will be serving up a roll-call of country superstars and award-winning singer-songwriters in its Let Freedom Sing! Music City celebration, a free family event in Downtown. The obligatory fireworks are claimed to be one of the biggest displays in the US, with the Nashville symphony playing along live.
Texas
More barbecues take place on Independence Day in the US than at any other time, but in Dalhart, Texas, they’ve gone big, with the world’s largest free barbecue coinciding with their Annual Rodeo and Reunion.
A crane has to carry logs onto the huge fire, while seasoning is mixed for the masses in horse troughs. The meat is cooked underground, barbacoa style in two pits dug every year, measuring 23 metres-long, and over a metre in depth and width. Texans do not mess about: 1000 gallons of fuel are used to get the blaze going.
National Parks
For those who prefer peace and quiet on Independence Day, how about sunrise at the Grand Canyon or camping beneath Yosemite’s mighty Half Dome?
While Mount Rushmore National Memorial, with its monumental tribute to four US Presidents, is likely to be busy, there are plenty of other national parks to choose from, including Yellowstone, the first national park in the country and the world.
