God Bless the USA!

One of the really great things about living in a small town are the traditional celebrations.    This one was really special this year, following the heels of the recent flooding.  Our 4th of July celebration always starts out with the parade down main street in Sopchoppy.

There are always lots of politicians and this being an election year, there were more than normal.

Lots of candy throwing and hand shaking, beads and the coveted fans, with elect "Joe Smith for Dog Catcher" printed on them, but in July in Florida, you don't care what they say you just want one.

And then there are the mounted posses,

and the tractors,

and the Shriners with their mini cars, and their tasseled hats,

the old cars,

and the tractors,

the fire engines,







and the monster trucks,

 

and the local beauty queens,

and the future beauty queens,

My granddaughter Havah, who had a great time waving at all the drivers and float riders, to see if she could get them to throw more candy,















and did I happen to mention the tractors?

A great time was had by all and







only in Sopchoppy does the parade stop and wait for old friends, who haven't seen each other in months to hug.   It is like a family reunion and every body belongs.




After the parade everyone gears up for the evening celebration.

You get the lawn chairs, the blankets, the towels and the coolers and set out for your favorite resting spot.   We always have the celebration at our church.    We set up water slides and play patriotic music, and the grown ups sit around and talk to old and new friends and the kids run and play and jump and slide.

Easton & Kyla

Dalten having a blast.

We always make our favorite desserts to share and I made what we call at my house, "Kyle's Pie"  with a little bit of a patriotic twist this time.

This is Kyle -

After dark they shoot off fireworks, and while most are looking upward, it is almost as much fun to watch the faces of the little ones.  

My favorite picture of the day is the one of my two year old granddaughter Kayden, waving the American flag with all her might, everytime one of the rockets goes off.

God Bless the USA!

Freedom Festival at the Dome

Every year to celebrate the 4th of July our church does a celebration.    It is kind of like a church picnic but lower key.    They set up a water slide, wading pools for the little ones, and our worship leader who is kind of a techno geek/gadget nerd constructed this wonderful water balloon station that keeps the kids entertained all day.  

 The older folks find a bit of shade and sit around talking and laughing while they watch the kids run around.  

This year we had a pie baking contest, and while they were all excellent, these were the winners in my opinion.    Now these don't necessarily co-inside with the judges results, but let them get their own blog.

The evening was topped off with a firework display, alas I don't have any photos of the fireworks, as my camera is way too lame to take good fireworks pictures.    Yet another reason to get a new better DSLR camera. (See that honey, that is what I want for my birthday/Christmas).   It was a very enjoyable day.

Happy Birthday America!  May God continue to bless us!