Celebrating Fourth of July in Oak Hill, Edgewater and across the country

OAK HILL -- The rains have made everything in Oak Hill look green and luscious, and the danger of wildfires has subsided so what am I thinking? Yep, fireworks and the 4th of July. We are so fortunate to live in a beautiful land where we are free and can celebrate our nation's independence any way we choose.

With the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, America became free of Great Britain's rule and a nation all its own. Picnics, barbeques and family reunions are popular ways to celebrate here in Oak Hill. Many folks go out on the river, camp on the islands, swim at the beach, picnic or just generally relax at home without any thought of what and why we celebrate this day.

I bet many people don't know that the Bristol Independence Day Parade is the oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the United States and that it has been held in Bristol, R.I., since 1785. The Boston Pops Orchestra has hosted music and fireworks along the Charles River since 1973, but Edgewater will have fireworks for all of us to enjoy, and it is close by.

No matter what you do this Wednesday, be safe and take a moment to reflect on why you live in a free society and why you don't have to work today.