We have Halloween, Christmas, St. Patty’s, New Years, and don’t forget about Groundhog’s Day. All classics. Holidays are the best. Any day that the local grocery store decides is important enough to decorate donuts or cookies for, has got to be a good day. One of my all time favorites of our many days of celebration, is July 4th, Independence Day. Here are a handful of reasons why I love this holiday...

1. Morning to night celebration.

This is an all day holiday. No matter if it is early in the morning or after the sun sets, the festivities continue throughout the day. No need to plan your celebrations around your schedule or schedules of others because most people get the chance to celebrate. Even for those who work during the summer, most have the day off, unless you are a lifeguard or a pro baseball player, in which you will probably be getting a nice bonus in your paycheck to work this holiday. Everyone gets to participate, all day long, wherever they are.

2. Simple and sunny.

On this day there is no need to stress about buying, wrapping, and giving presents, which always make other holidays a little harder. Instead we are all just able to kick back and simply enjoy the day. The day is spent with family and friends and even better, the majority of the day is spent outside. Being in the sun, people have another sense of freedom. While the sun is shining, we get to be surrounded by people we love.

3. Time-honored traditions.

My family always goes to the pool, plays in our 4th of July volleyball tournament, and finishes the day by watching an all time classic, Independence Day. Whether you have a picnic at the park, spend all day on a boat, go camping for the weekend, or any other annual activities you do, the different traditions are wonderful and endless.

4. Music.

Tunes are a must have for a good celebration. Classics like American Pie by Don McClean or Creedance Clearwater Revival’s Fortunate Son are played and sung along by everyone all day long. The playlist for the 4th is full of oldies, patriotic jams, and the best country anthems.

5. Eat and drink.

Any day when everyone is basically expected to chow down all day, is fun for all. The menu includes all things you can grill up and put on a bun. Not to mention the multitude of homemade fruit displays and pies. While you enjoy all the wonderful foods at the barbecue, it is easy to find your choice of refreshment. You can grab a glass of lemonade or sweet tea, as well as the plenty of people tossing back their fair share of beers.

6. Red, white, and blue-tiful.

Some people get the opportunity to plan for week their costume-like outfits to wear and take pictures in all day. Others can simply throw on a red, white, or blue shirt or hat and can fit right in. Everything, including clothes, tablecloths, balloons, and close to anything you can think of, creates a sea of American colors. It is both a beautiful and uniting sight to see.

7. Fireworks.

I shouldn’t have to say more than that, but only the most special of days, do we get to see fireworks. They have almost a magical effect: how they shoot up and ignite the sky with light and color, how everyone seems to stop what they are doing, forget their worries and are completely captivated until the show’s finale. It doesn’t get much better than that.

8. We are celebrating our wonderful country.

While many of our days during the year are spent worried about the state of our nation and the problems it is filled with, this day we are proud of our home of the free and the brave. On this day we are all thankful to those who serve and have served to make that freedom a reality. The patriotism on the 4th is unmatched by any other day and it’s quite an incredible feeling.

This day brings good people together to eat good food and make good memories. While I enjoy any other holiday during the year, I especially look forward to celebrating our Independence Day.