More than a card, it's a memory.: Happy Fourth!

“Everything is created from moment to moment, always new. Like fireworks, this universe is a celebration and you are the spectator contemplating the eternal Fourth of July of your absolute splendor.” – Francis Lucille

This weekend celebrates the 234^th Independence Day in the

United States

. Commonly known as the 4^th of July, Independence Day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, on July 4, 1776.

The national holiday of the United States, Americans celebrate Independence Day with fireworks displays, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, political speeches and ceremonies. We celebrate the history and traditions of the United States along side our neighbors, friends, family, and national and state leaders, creating opportunities to gather and celebrate the summer. Some historical and traditional celebrations for the 4^th of July are found on Wikipedia:

Held since 1785, the Bristol Fourth of July Parade in Bristol, Rhode Island is the oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the United States.
Since 1916, Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City supposedly started as a way to settle a dispute among four immigrants as to who was the most patriotic.
Numerous major and minor league baseball games are played on Independence Day.
On the Capitol lawn in Washington, D.C., “A Capitol Fourth,” a free concert, precedes the fireworks and attracts over half a million people annually.

Summer is in full swing now – families are lunching on grassy lawns in city parks, couples stroll along honeymoon walks… Barbecues with friends and family, folks enjoying some quiet reading in a quiet chair on the grass… Canoeing on a creek, meeting for a shopping date, baking a special pie, splashing in backyard pools… these things all signal the start of the celebration season! Here are some fun happenings in our neck of the woods, out and about the Portland-Metro area.


Estacada Fourth of July Big Bang Fireworks Sky Show and Fun Festival

Fort Vancouver Fireworks
Skamania Lodge Fireworks
PGE Park Post-game Fireworks
Fanfare for Fireworks
Willamette Shore Trolley Fireworks Rides
Sandy Fireworks Show
Frontier Sportmans Holiday Fireworks on Foster Lake

Red White and Blue Riverfront Festival
Molalla Buckeroo
St. Paul Rodeo
Eugene Pro Rodeo

General Canby Day

Fourth of July Star Spangled Birthday Parade and Festivities

10th Annual Fourth of July Celebration

Blue Lake Regional Park

Happy Valley Fourth of July Family Festival

Oaks Park July Fourth Celebration

Picnic in the Pearl

No matter your traditions, history, or location, celebrations of the summer can bring us closer to our friends or family, and buoy our spirits. Be safe, have fun this holiday weekend & remember:

“Celebrate the little things in life, appreciate tomorrow, love your neighbor or don’t, but never condemn yourself to a life without cause to celebrate and be thankful for what you have. Never forget the people you love and love them when you have an occasion to do so. Celebrate their life and celebrate yours”. – Anonymous

Spend the day celebrating the concept of freedom and what that means for you...