Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Small-Town 4th


 

No, this wasn’t the fireworks show at the Washington Monument. This was better!

 

Where else but in a small town can you drive up to a tiny place like Elmo, park a half block from the main road and watch a parade of fire engines, antique cars and people waving flags on pickup trucks? Then wander through the small crowd and find people you know?

 

Or spontaneously decide to see the Fourth of July show at Constitution Square and park easily? The grandchildren can jump in a moon bounce and run across some kids they already know.

 

And then there is a fine local band, Public Consumption, performing, and it’s easy to find a place to put your folding char. Then, a surprise: Your friend Alexandra Martinez, who stayed at your B&B before moving here a couple of years ago, is the main attraction. That wouldn’t have happened in Washington.

 

She sings a great medley of songs, some that she just learned as a fill-in performer. Then, in front of thousands of people, she singles you out by name for introducing her to “Georgia on My Mind,” which we once practiced together at my house. She improvises some lyrics: “Please move your car. It is blocking the fireworks truck” without missing a beat.

 

Soon “God Bless America” and a spectacular 15-minute fireworks show.

 

 Yes, God Bless America!

 

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