Liz’s rant: Celebrating the 4th… on the 3rd…

Let’s just get this all out in the open, in case there are any questions. The 4th of July is easily my second very most favorite holiday of the year (just behind Christmas). There is no doubt in my mind that the United States of America is an exceptional nation. And I find that to be a huge reason to celebrate. Not because we’re better than the rest of the world – just the exception, not the rule. Because for 234 years, we’ve been that last bastion of freedom, embracing that we are endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights – that among them are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Try finding that philosophy and the other tenants on which we were founded in Cuba or Italy or France – or even Great Britain. That those tenants are under attack as never before (OK, maybe it was close under ol’ Woody Wilson or FDR) is not my primary focus today, because I don’t want Kate to have a spell. Like she’d notice though. She’s out gallivanting around the country on “vacation,” though some of us aren’t quite so lucky this week. (Hee, hee.)

Anywho, my latest rant is the product of my own 4th of July planning. Decorating is a big deal. Not only do five buntings go up on the balcony, porches and railings, the red, white and blue “welcome” mats grace the front and back doors, the deck plants get all patriotically decorated, appropriate wind socks blow in the breeze and various other matters of all things America come out to join the normal decor (which, throughout the year, is a testament to our love of country). The sounds of my special (and regular) patriotic CDs fill the house and yard. And on the eve of July 4, about 25 small cloth flags join the large Old Glory that hangs every day of the year, to line the yard, sidewalks and driveway. Add to the decorations the menu for the day – all-American Fourth of July-perfect foods and family favorites.

Of course, for all of this to go off without a hitch, all the planning must correlate with the city’s 4th of July parade and other festivities. And then I find out that scheduling won’t be a problem in the least – unless I plan on celebrating the Fourth on the third, which I decidedly will not do, unlike the city in which I live. Yep, that’s right. This city is planning all its Fourth of July celebrations that typically happen, uh, on the Fourth of July, on July 3 – parade, fireworks, street festival, the reading  of the Declaration of Independence – the whole kit and kaboodle. In fact, this is how the city has actually titled their 4th of July web page:

Celebrate the 4th on the 3rd

There is n0 rhyme, there is no reason. Just a title and list of the day’s activities.

Last year, the 4th was on a Saturday. Festivities? Saturday. Two years ago (because of Leap Year), the 4th was on a Thursday. Festivities? Thursday. And so the list goes, on and on. So why is the Fourth being celebrated on the third of July? Your guess is as good as mine.

But I don’t like it. Not one little teeny, tiny bit. In fact, I think it’s a travesty.

-Liz