Students celebrate 4th of July in different ways

American flag

Bright colors flash in the sky, followed by the loud clash of sound. Oohs and ahs are whispered throughout the crowd. The only trace of the firework is the spidery smoke shadow that floats away in the sky. The fourth of July has been celebrated annually since July 4, 1776. Because of this day the United States of America was formed and became Independent from the rule of Great Britain. Today, the fourth of July is often celebrated differently. Some families plan trips over the fourth of July, others spend time with grandparents and cousins, and several families enjoy watching fireworks in their home town.

Some traditions are as simple as staying home and watching the fireworks. Rising junior Will Turner usually spends the fourth of July in Harrisonburg with is Mom, Dad, and Sister. This year they went to Washington D.C. and took a look around the historical city and the government that runs the country.

“We went to a Nationals game, and the Nationals won!” Turner said.

Senior Landon Turner (no relation) spends most of his summer in South Carolina or in Pennsylvania with his Dad’s family. He is with them through the fourth of July every year.

“Yes [we watch fireworks], and I make my own,” Turner said. “We don’t do anything really big; we just hang out around the house.”
The Turners grill out and after they eat dinner and have watched the fireworks, they roast marshmallows to make s‘mores.

Rising senior Evan Wetsel spends time with her mom, sister, stepdad, and a friend at Smith Mountain Lake to enjoy all the festive celebrations.

“Our neighbors have fireworks and they are pretty good,” said Wetsel.
“We have this seafood place we always go to.” Wetsel said when asked about dinners. Whether they grill out on the fourth of July or eat at home for the night, they always go to this restraint at some point during the week.

Rising senior Joe Niland stays in Harrisonburg every year and watches the fireworks from downtown. He cannot remember ever being out of town on the fourth of July. Vacations were always planned for later on in the summer.

“This year since it [fourth of July] was on a Sunday we went on the third and watched the fireworks downtown. Then on the fourth we just stayed at home,” Niland said.

While every family does something different on this holiday, they are all the same in some ways. Most spend time with family. They eat a similar thing every year. And they watch fireworks are some point during the holiday.

What did you do for the 4th? Let us know in the comments below!