I’ll admit it – I’m an emotional push-over when it comes to patriotic events.  I get choked up when I sing the Star-Spangled Banner at sporting events.  When it comes to Fourth of July parades, it’s seeing the men and women who have served our country that moves me. I’m incredibly grateful to them and for the free country we live in. 

As American women, we enjoy many freedoms, and one of our most precious freedoms is our right to vote.  Thanks to the women who struggled before us, females gained the right to vote in 1920.  That seems pretty recent to me – Hershey’s Kisses have been around longer than our right to vote.  Besides celebrating the 4th of July, I intend to celebrate my freedom throughout the year by voting in every election.

Here are some Fourth of July celebrations worth checking out:

Bristol, Rhode Island – Located 30 minutes from Newport, this town first celebrated 4th of July in 1777.  This year is their 222nd parade and is the oldest continuously running parade in the country.   More info

Sausalito – Located across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, this is a great choice for a small town celebration. Web site 

Boston – Travel along the Freedom Trail to see the origins of our country’s independence and then catch the free concert and fireworks over the Charles River. Web site

New York - Macy’s has been providing a fireworks show for New York City for over 30 years and has the distinction of being the largest fireworks display in the country.  History   | Vantage points

Warren, VT – This is the place to go, to see an off-beat parade in a classic New England village. Web site 

San Francisco Bay Area -   A round-up of celebrations in the Bay Area.  Guide

Seattle - Catch the show on Lake Union (preferably by boat) or the popular Fourth of Jul-Ivar’s celebration near Pier 70 on the waterfront.  Web site