4th July - US advice please!

[RatherBe]

We moved to the US in January and so are now looking forward to our first 4th July celebrations. We have a plan to watch the local fireworks with our neighbours and will be watching the parade through town on Sunday. But I've been wondering - what are the other traditional things to do? Please does anyone have any tips for how to really get into the spirit of things?

Oh, and I hope you all have a very happy Independence Day!

Many/most people will have a flag displayed outside their homes.

Children decorate their bicycles/scooters/wagons with red/white/blue streamers, flags and balloons - especially if you are walking to the parade. At the parade, many will wave small American flags - something the size of an A4 sheet of paper.

Plan to eat watermelon, fresh peaches, corn on the cob, drink lemonade, do a bbq or have fried chicken, eat ice cream.

Buy some sparklers for the evening.

Have fun!

Buy a 4th of July t-shirt for the children from Target/Old Navy - usually less than $5 or just dress them in red, white and blue.
Enjoy your first 4th of July!

Thanks Earlybird. The children will have fun decorating their bikes.

I'm not sure what the etiquette is about flags - does it look strange if we fly one (given that we are not American), or will it look like some kind of statement if we don't? I know that Americans are very proud of their flag and I would hate to offend anyone by doing the wrong thing.

No one will be offended if you fly a flag, believe me.

They won't be offended - they will see it as you embracing your new country and the traditions.

Right - tomorrow I will be buying t-shirts, a flag and some burgers for the barbecue. But no sparklers because we can't buy fireworks here!

Thank you all for your advice.

Oh, yeah. Some counties very strict about fireworks, particularly if they're in a dry area/near forest.