GTKY - 4th of July / Canada Day Traditions

[chitownsully]

Anyone have any holiday traditions this time of year!? Or any traditions you want to start with your family? Share here!

[chitownsully]

Growing up our 4th of July fireworks were always on July 3 and we would go every year. We'd pack blankets, food and a cooler and go early to get a good spot. I loved spotting my favorite firework every year (the ones that go off, fade away and then magically re-appear as sparkles!). It was a family affair with my cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. I hope to continue the tradition once the LOs are old enough to not be scared.

[August Blooms]

We don't have our own Canada Day tradition but the past few years we have gone to our friends place in the country, they have a huge BBQ and do fireworks.

I'd really like to start something with the family, maybe next year we will go north and rent a cottage or something.

[cythe]

In past years we have gone out to H's family and their lake cabin. It's so awesome out there, it's in the mountains so it's cooler and mosquitoes are practically non-existent.

This year, however because of the 2 section duty that will. not. end. we are just staying here.

[arimaythea]

Growing up at first we always went to the fireworks on July 4th in our hometown. When we were older, we started going to the fireworks in a neighboring town on a Sunday near July 4th. They'd have a bigger celebration, with a carnival set up and everything, so that was fun. Last year with DS just under a year old, we went to the carnival but didn't stay for the fireworks.

This year is the first year they aren't doing the carnival. They are doing a "block party" which is basically just a bunch of local vendor booths, followed by a "free but ticketed" concert that is already sold out. I'm pretty bummed about it. We probably won't do anything other than maybe hang out with family.

[trinitrotoluene]

My ILs and SIL and her family are coming down. We are making pulled pork and they are bringing a salad and dessert.

[gamergirl]

Growing up, my hometown always had the best small town July 4th celebration. Pancake breakfast, followed by games and more food leading up to parade time, then watching the tractor pull until it was time for supper, and of course fireworks. In high school I played flute in the marching band, and my senior year I was a flag girl (walks ahead of the band carrying/twirling a flag, it also involved dancing).

H and I used to make it back home every 4th after we got married and moved away, but since DS was due/born on July 5th two years ago, we haven't. The past couple years we've celebrated in the evening with a group of friends from our church. They live close to where they shoot off the fireworks, so it's a great spot to watch from. I always say that's what put me into labor with DS, lol.

[duskymonkey]

Hubs and I had been doing our anniversary hike up a mountain since our anniversary is at the end of June. ( We legally married ourselves on the summit of the mountain ) We haven't since DS was born and also the last several years, on the weekend of our actual anniversary, the mountains have been so snow packed. The last time we tried summiting, we were trudging in snow as high as tree tops and by the time we got above treeline, we needed crampons and weren't prepared so we had to turn around. I think we will make this our tradition once fella#2 is a bit older. We were planning on summiting with DS this yr before we got pregnant. Oh well. We may just hike up part way to the other side of the mountain with a lake depending on trail conditions with both in a year and have a picnic there. Also every year I would make our wedding cake to celebrate as well but cant this year Boo!

[mkrupar]

Growing up we always went to the lake for fireworks. I remember being evacuated one year because of a tornado warning.

My H is pretty meh on fireworks, so we haven't done anything in years. I'd like to take the kids when they're older, but I don't know what our new neighborhood/city does for a celebration. I suspect not much since DC has the big fireworks display.

[cougarette]

DH and I always get a few pounds of peanuts and boil them.

There's always a cookout, and maybe we'll go to watch fireworks. We haven't gone with DS yet since they start so late. I'm very happy that thus far he's slept through the neighborhood fireworks.

Sad panda: the cookout had always been at my grandfather's house, and he passed away in January. It's weird to figure out who's hosting things now. Though I guess it's nice to rotate so it's not one person all the time.

[britt]

We are taking DD to a parade in the AM which I think we will try to keep as a little tradition than we are going to a cookout at my grandparents house...
also sad realizing today fireworks aren't until 9pm.. she couldn't even stay up that late if she tried, maybe next year!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Taitai]

I have so many great memories of the 4th growing up! We would always see the town parade in the morning, have a cook out with a mini badminton tournament at my parent's place, and then go to the town park for live music and fireworks in the evening. I loved getting all bundled up to watch the fireworks, since temps always dropped to jeans/sweatshirt weather by the time it got dark.

Now that we're overseas, the local American Chamber of Commerce 4th of July party is really popular expats every year. It's a lot of fun with American food, and they always have a bounce house/games/activities for the littles too - nice to have a slice of America here every once in a while. I am sad we can't go this year b/c of my complications, but we'll def go next year.

[duskymonkey]

cougarette, are we talking about Fresh peanuts?! If so where in the world do you get them? I've never ever seen them sold here. EVER! I want some...fresh boiled peanuts are soon gooooddd!!!

[duskymonkey]

I loved reading about all your traditions for the 4th being that I did not grow up here. Hubs family all lives in another state - too far for a short trip.
Taitai , glad that you're able to celebrate the 4th. and also be able to experience all the local Thai festivitals which if anything like what we have back home is splendidly full of pomp and circumstance. I would think the embassy or consulate would also have a celebration for expats?

[Taitai]

duskymonkey Yes - celebrating the Thai holidays like Songkran and Loy Krathong are highlights for us every year! DS looks forward to those as much as Christmas and Halloween 😀

I am sure the U.S. Embassy does something for the 4th, but I don't honestly know if it's easy or difficult to get tickets. There are sooooo many American expats here, I feel like they couldn't possibly accommodate everyone. We like the AMCHAM party - it's definitely the most popular for business expats like us!

[cougarette]

Jul 1, 2017 15:42:55 GMT -6 duskymonkey said:

cougarette, are we talking about Fresh peanuts?! If so where in the world do you get them? I've never ever seen them sold here. EVER! I want some...fresh boiled peanuts are soon gooooddd!!!

Yep! We get them at the grocery store. There are usually big bins of them all summer. We're boiling them tomorrow and I'm so excited. I love the smell.

Of course there are lots of peanut farms near us in SC, so maybe that's why they're so readily available.

[duskymonkey]

Jul 1, 2017 19:09:36 GMT -6 cougarette said:

Jul 1, 2017 15:42:55 GMT -6 duskymonkey said:

cougarette , are we talking about Fresh peanuts?! If so where in the world do you get them? I've never ever seen them sold here. EVER! I want some...fresh boiled peanuts are soon gooooddd!!!

Yep! We get them at the grocery store. There are usually big bins of them all summer. We're boiling them tomorrow and I'm so excited. I love the smell.

Of course there are lots of peanut farms near us in SC, so maybe that's why they're so readily available.

WANT SOME! so utterly jealous right now. 🤤