Making Memories this Fourth of July

My childhood memories of July 4th paint the picture of a quintessential, small town-americana celebration. There was a three day fair with dizzying rides and mouth-watering fried dough, with 4 H blue ribbon competitions, mud runs and a demolition derby. All of this built up to the morning of the Fourth, when dozens of floats representing local businesses and decorated in tissue paper flowers, paraded down Main Street with the high school marching band, little girl baton twirlers, and local pageant winners en route. That evening, we would cook red hot dogs over an open fire at my grand parents' house and watch the fireworks cuddled up in blankets on their roof.

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I can still remember the anticipation of the Fourth and loved the time we spent together as a family having fun, but I didn't realize then how much I would cherish the memory in retrospect. Now I want to try to create a similar tradition for my children around our wonderful country's big day. Thankfully, we live in a town that also takes pride in its Fourth of July festivities. Speaking of making memories, your child can even have the opportunity to ride their bike in Needham's Children's Parade!

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In the past, Parent Talk has coordinated an effort to meet and decorate bikes to be used in the Children's Parade route, and we are bringing it back this year. What could be better in the eyes of a child than sprucing up their prized possession with red, white and blue flair and then getting to show it off while riding in the street?! All you need to do is bring the bike; Parent Talk is supplying the decorations. People are gathering at 8am on Saturday, July 4th at Greene's Field in Needham. This fun kick-off event is free and open to non-Parent Talk members as well, so be sure to spread the word!

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I will be back in my hometown of Houlton, Maine with my husband and our two and three year old. We plan to bring them to the same fair that I grew up loving. I'm not sure about the hot dogs over an open fire! Have a wonderful celebration however you choose to honor the day.

About the author:
Liza d'Hemecourt lives in Needham with her husband and their two children. She grew up in Northern Maine, attended Boston College and taught kindergarten and first grade before becoming a stay at home mother.