Happy Independence Day From Not Another New England Sports Blog!

Just a quick note to wish all you visitors a Happy 4th of July. This is probably as good a time as any to reiterate why I LOVE this holiday so much.

Although not exclusive to the 4th of July, bikinis and summer seem to go hand in hand.

Mmm....nope. Still haven't wrecked myself.

So it was only natural that Kirkland, WA- based online swimwear retailer Bikini Beach became a semi-regular fixture in the town's 4th of July parade [many thanks to Turners and Models for keeping a detailed photographic record of those occasions- NANESB!].

Wait- did the Patriots just score a touchdown?

Then there's the parades- growing up in New England, the rich history of the area meant that parades would often feature re-enactors dressed up as minutemen from the colonial era occasionally firing off a volley from their muskets [the AR-15s of their day!- NANESB!]. In parts of the south and Mid Atlantic, re-enacting battles from the Civil War has been popular.

Restored fire truck in Cobleskill, NY's 4th of July Parade. Photo by inkfeather via Flickr.

Of course, throughout the country it seems as though no Independence Day Parade is complete without the appearance of a fire truck. It can be a newer truck with one of the local departments, but often it's a painstakingly restored vintage pumper or ladder truck undertaken as a labor of love and shown off for exactly this occasion.

Having long finished up it's day's work, LLPX former Belt Railway of Chicago GP38-2 #2228 basks in the glow of a fireworks display in Poplar Bluff, MO on July 4th, 2007. Zach Pumphrey photo

And let's not forget the fireworks- no fourth of July seems to be complete without them. People will stake out a spot a few hours in advance and have a picnic or a cookout while waiting for it to get dark enough for the fireworks to begin. People will come from as far as hundreds of miles away to stepping out on their own apartment balconies to take it all in. And when it does, it is usually a sight to behold (usually) and ends with not just a bang, but a series of teeth jarring concussive, car-alarm triggering blasts depending on how close you are.

As a matter of fact, I'm on my way to such a display right now. But I'll leave you with this:



Above all, have a safe and happy 4th of July!