Cousin Bob welcoming all to the Freedom Celebration.
When did Independence Day become a days long series of events? Not that I mind any extended celebrations. This practice has given me more opportunities for fireworks viewing and party attending and made me not feel so bad about having to work on the actual fourth day of July. Many of our local venues have taken to having their big fireworks displays on the Saturday before the 4th. Utilizing the weekend as the nexus of all things July 4th enabled me to attend an annual event that I have missed for a few years. My cousins Bob & Donna Brown host a big bash which they entitle a “Freedom Celebration” down at their country property in Luray. (It’s pronounced: LOO-Ray for all you Yankees.) I have a contingency of cousins in Virginia that I see way too infrequently and I was happy for the re-connection.
To start off our weekend on Friday evening our county seat of Warrenton held an event that had an array of activities and that were family focused on the grounds of the Warrenton Aquatics and Recreation Facility (The WARF, as it’s known to us locals). This included fee free swimming at the indoor pool. While Don and I were not excited to sit for 2 hours while Damian frolicked with other kids playing water basketball, it proved to be a prudent decision when the severe thunderstorm blew through sending the hordes to descend upon the WARF in droves. The sudden onslaught caused panic among the staff so they closed the pool but not before we already sent Damian to the locker room. It looked as though the planned fireworks for that evening might be delayed so we took off in search of dinner. As we left the restaurant Don decided to swing by a spot that he thought may provide a viewing vantage without having to return to the throngs. Just as we pulled up, the first mortar was launched and Damian popped up through the moon roof to enjoy the show.
On the grounds of Warrenton’s celebration.
I learned today on Facebook (see, I’m not just wasting time on there) that the incorporation of fireworks into the Independence Day celebration was the idea of John Adams and that the first fireworks were set off on July 4th 1777 in Philadelphia and Boston. Parades, shows, sports and games where also included in the original plans. In concert with the visions of our forefathers, Cousin Bob provided a hayride through the picturesque countryside of Luray, there was a pool for the kiddies, games of kickball, corn hole and can jam, archery and of course food and drink a plenty. Bob welcomed everyone with a wonderfully heart-felt speech and prayer that reminded us all just how blessed we are to be living here in the good old U. S. A.
Hayseeds on the hayride.
kickball
kiddie pool
We had the good fortune to be sitting with several groups of folks who were more recent immigrants and it was humbling to hear one man state that there is no other place in the world where you are assessed solely on your own merits and not those of your father, family, class, religion or caste and opportunity is endless. We also heard a sobering discussion of how the drug epidemic has hit this region and several local businesses had to be closed because of the inability to find a thrifty, reliable work force in an area where it’s easier to be on government assistance.
New friends.
Then there was the joy of seeing my cousins’ reaction when I showed her old photo slides of our family from the 1950’s. It was fun to reminisce and catch up.
Costa Cousins
Lovely Luray
Bob’s peaches!
When it was time to leave Don suggested that we take the Skyline Drive home and stop along one of the high overlooks and watch the fireworks displays throughout the valley. It was an added treat that Saturn was visible near the moon.
On the trail.
Waiting for dark.
Sunset on the Skyline Drive
Fireworks across the Valley.
It seemed that we were not the only people to have that idea. Several groups were already camped out at the overlook when we arrived. Some kids on a motorcycle came up to us and politely inquired why everyone was pulling out chairs and were we expecting something to happen? We said that we couldn’t speak for the other folks but we were planning to watch for fireworks. They thought that it was a good idea and perched on the rock wall to our right. It was definitely a unique perspective to look down at fireworks displays dotting the Valley sky. I have been watching a documentary series entitled : New York from the American Experience series on PBS. One episode chronicled the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge and how when it opened it was the tallest structure of the day. People would walk upon its promenade and marvel that they could look down upon the ships in the harbor. I felt a kinship with those venerable New Yorkers that night. I stood gazing knowing that all across our amazing country people from all walks of life would be sharing in the same American experience.
God Bless America!
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