Well, America, this day is one for the books every year. It’s that time yet again where we blow up stuff weeks before appropriate to do so, eat a lot of food and blame it on the upcoming holiday (even though, let’s be real, is it the holiday’s fault? Food is just too good, I understand), and listen to all of the classics about America that are heard wherever you go.

I bet most of you have annual Fourth of July plans. Whether that’s with your family, your friends, or random people you don’t know, it’s a given that the Fourth of July is a busy day.

For me, it is tradition for my mom and I to make red, white and blue strawberries (which is, basically, strawberries dipped in white chocolate, then covered in blue sprinkles) every year. Then after that, my parents and I used to go to a family friend’s place to hang out for the rest of the night. He lived close to Rosenblatt Stadium (#neverforget) and every year they would have a fireworks show that was easily seen from his front yard. It was a great bonding experience. Other families would bring fireworks and we would shoot them all off until we ran out, which would always be early enough to grab a spot outside and see the fireworks from Rosenblatt later on.

Now that Rosenblatt is gone, the tradition at our family friend’s house has discontinued. Every year since then, it’s a mystery what I’ll be doing on the Fourth of July. It’s important to reflect on why we have this holiday in the first place, but I like doing so while being with others. Once, I stayed home and watched fireworks shows on TV, but I didn’t enjoy that as much, so usually when this day comes around now I like spending it with friends. I hope that new tradition goes on for a while.

Along with the annual traditions that came up, something that is still a reoccurrence every year is the copious amount of people all over the city shooting off fireworks before It’s even July. I’m not one to complain about this too often because it’s merely other people being excited about the holiday and I can’t hate them for that, but I will admit that if it’s June, it’s too early for that to be happening. Two or three days before the 4^th is more understandable, but if it’s not and I can’t tell the difference between a roar of thunder and a loud firework then maayybbeee that’s an issue. You can wait, like, three or so days. Patience is a virtue. Plus, more fireworks on the actual day they should be used. It’s a win-win situation here.

When it is time for fireworks, the louder they are, the better. Sorry to all who have pets that are terrified of loud noises, but the loud ones are the best. Fireworks are also great if they are big, bright, or anything else of the like. Fireworks have always been a huge part of the Fourth of July, so the better they are, the better and more enjoyable time you’ll have, in my opinion.

Lastly, and perhaps the most significant part Fourth of July, the music. When I would go to the family friend’s house, they turned on the radio and nearly every station was playing the same, patriotic music. During those times were where I learned the words to so many patriotic songs. The entire holiday just doesn’t feel the same without listening to a few classics from Bruce Springsteen and others every now and again, along with listening to 21^st century artists and their own patriotic songs as well.

So, for this Fourth of July, regardless of what you have planned, if you’re eating “American Pie” or barbequing or anything else, I hope you “Party in the U.S.A.”, or maybe even “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.”. Wherever you’re from, “Born in the U.S.A.” or not, I still hope you have an enjoyable day, because it truly is one of the greatest days of the year, “Courtesy of the Red, White, And Blue”.

(Okay. I’m done with song puns now. God Bless America. Have a great holiday.)