There is something wonderfully comforting about the Fourth of July in a small town.
Yesterday, Winterpast woke to quiet streets and blue skies. HHH and I made our usual trip to Walmart, where the shelves were stocked and ready for tomorrow’s celebrations. Coolers, paper plates, flags, watermelon, chips, hamburger buns, and hot dog buns waited patiently for the parties soon to come.
On our way home, we noticed another sure sign that Independence Day is almost here.
The men were already preparing the site for Saturday night’s fireworks show. On a huge, dusty patch of desert between the Old Folk’s Home and the tracks, people were scurrying. Fireworks sites are so ugly. Just a bunch of tubes and wires. Unless you knew what it was, you’d never know what beauty it would produce.
Tomorrow will begin long before the first firework lights the sky. The day starts with the pancake breakfast with the Masonic Lodge.
Then, at ten o’clock, the big parade will make its way right down Main Street. This year, there won’t be a high school band. Our local band only marches in this parade every other year. We’ll miss the drums and brass echoing between the buildings. How sad the kids won’t march in the 250th birthday of our nation.
The firehouse will fly its huge American flag, and HHH has already secured the best parking spot along the entire route, right near the towing company across from the firehouse. When your brother is the mayor, it only takes a call if you know the right people. Living in town since the late 1950’s, HHH and his family have been long-time friends of the owner.
After the parade, our church will be cooking hamburgers and hot dogs. There will be a bounce house and plenty of fun for the kids, because small-town celebrations are best when everyone has something to enjoy.
At Out-Of-Town-Park, not to be confused with In-Town Park, an old-fashioned carnival will unfold. And of course, the 4th wouldn’t be the 4th without the pig races. What do you win if you hold on to the pig? The pig or $100. Now, that’s something to chase.
Then, at dusk, the fireworks will begin.
Not pretend fireworks.
The real thing.
Big, bright, booming fireworks that shake your chest and light up the Nevada sky.
Danger of fire?
Well, that’s what the fire department is for, right?
I hope whatever you do, wherever you are, you have a wonderful time celebrating.
Happy 250th Birthday, America.
Shine bright tomorrow.
We love you.
