Independence Day 2008
Independence Day has always been among my favorite holidays, falling as it does in the middle of summer, and celebrated with food and fireworks. I’ve also always appreciated that it’s a holiday every American can appreciate regardless of religious affiliation. In the past, Fourth of July’s falling in the midst of vacation from school has given it an extra degree of joy for me. Less so this year, since my semester has just begun. Nevertheless, this year Independence Day fell on a Friday, and that, coupled with a great group of friends has made this one of the best July 4ths in years.
In Gainesville, the well-organized fireworks display takes place on the 3rd, presumably to allow students and others to head home and spend the holiday with their families. This year, with huge budget cuts harming nearly every department on Campus, WUFT canceled the display. Shortly thereafter, an anonymous donor ponied up tens of thousands of dollars and the event was back on.
So, at eight o’clock on Thursday evening, Sara (aka PopHer), and Steven and Kathleen arrived at our home and we chatted for a bit waiting for Sarah Jean (aka Ruby Typhoon). Steve and Kathleen, traditionally not fans of fireworks, opted out, and Sarah Jean seemed unconvinced that the weather would cooperate–it had been thundering–also appeared to bow out. But Robin (aka Patsy Clothesline) would be there, and Kat (aka Demonomia) was scheduled to appear. It wasn’t long, though, before Sarah Jean and her husband Andrew did arrive, and we listened to the Gainesville Community Band and watched the fireworks with thousands of others at Flavet Field beneath a clear sky. There was watermelon and chicken, cupcakes and drinks, and, though the pyrotechnics didn’t seem as substantial as in years past, we all still had a great time.
Friday morning Miriam and I drove down to Micanopy to experience the kind of small town parade that you only see in movies. There was no marching band–Micanopy doesn’t have a high school–but we did see lots of tractors and horses and politicians waving flags.
In the evening we went to Steve and Kathleen’s house where we enjoyed a spaghetti dinner with Robin, Sara, Sarah Jean and Andrew. Then, out in the street in front of the house we set off all manner of firecrackers. We all had a fabulous time, even as revelers on nearby streets set of vastly superior pyrotechnics. Inside we had ice cream novelties and played the most recent installment of Grand Theft Auto, continuing a tradition that harkens back to the legendary BBQ 2000, when I first experienced a video game that was actually fun to watch as well as play.
Today I worked all afternoon, but tonight is karaoke with the GRR girls downtown.
Filed under: Food, Friends, Special Occasions on July 5th, 2008 | No Comments »