The Plant City Times & Observer has partnered with the City of Plant City Recreation & Parks Department to give away six pairs of VIP tickets to the annual Fourth of July celebration at 6 p.m. at the Plant City Stadium, 1810 E. Park Road.
What does the Fourth mean to our readers?
FAMILY TRADITION
What does the Fourth of July mean to me and my family?
It means to be able to live in the greatest country on earth, which would not have been possible with out the volunteered service provided by my grandfather (Navy, passed) in World War II, when he fought in North Africa, and also the service that my father-in-law (Air Force, passed) provided in the Korean conflict. He was dropped behind enemy lines. And last but not least, for the service my brother-in-law (Air Force-active) has given. He has served in three tours in Afghanistan. My only regret is that I did not serve our country like some of my family members have and still do.
— Jason Byron
PAIN AND PROGRESS
Fourth of July means so much to my family. It is a day to celebrate our great county on our independence. Being a 9/11 family, we have had to lift ourselves up from the deep depression we were in and remember we live in the greatest country, and we need to always remember that.
With all that is going on now we must remember we are all humans and are all Americans.
— Karen Bingham
THANKFULNESS FOR SERVICE
Fourth of July is a celebration for having our freedom and independence. I am so thankful for those who fought and are still fighting so we can have our freedom in America.
— Clarissa Bailey
FOND MEMORIES
One of the best memories I have of the Fourth of July is in my hometown of Upper Arlington, Ohio.
The day started with the city firing off cannons to awaken everyone. Then my family would rush to get ready for the big parade, which started at 9 a.m. As a youngster I would ride on the fire engine, and then as I got older my boy scout troop would march in the parade.
As I became an adult I was part of a group called the “balloon blower users” which went in front of the parade and passed out balloons to all the kids. The parade eventually became so big that it was televised locally.
After the parade we would attend a big picnic with about 30 families. In the afternoon I would participate in the local swimming meet at our community pool.
In the early evening we would regather with my family and friends and have a big cook out and wait for the fireworks, which started at dusk. After the fireworks my friends and I would go the street dance and finish the day.
While I have not been back home for several years, I do try and attend my class reunions, which are held on Fourth of July every five years. The Fourth has always been special because my family looks forward to it with great expectations of a super time with family friends and relatives.
— George Banning
KEEPING HEADS HELD HIGH
The Fourth means that we are able to live free. “Four score and seven years ago,” as coined by Lincoln, put that in motion and put that in place. It got the ball rolling for shackles to be unchained and people’s ability to live in a land of freedom and opportunity, to be declared by this day of independence. So when the loud sound of fireworks go off, and the sky is illuminated, I believe it shows us how to keep our heads up and look to the sky, and fly as free as an eagle on this Independence Day!
— Charles Box
TIME WITH FAMILY,
BIG OR SMALL
Fourth of July has always been about family for me. When I was a kid in Naples, we always went to the beach for the day and stayed for fireworks and sparklers later that night. We would have cousins, aunts and uncles come and join us. As adults, we still make it about getting together with family.
Last year was a difficult year for us, as our daughter was diagnosed with cancer and started treatment just prior to Fourth of July. But a trip back to Naples gave her something to look forward to. We took our boat down and spent the day on the water, tubing and fishing, again with cousins, aunts, uncles and the kids’ grandfather. We also had the chance to enjoy a great celebration with fireworks and a watermelon eating contest with our family.
This year we won’t have the children with us to celebrate so my husband, Jeremy, and I will be watching fireworks together. Maybe we can be a part of someone else’s family that evening — who knows?
— Lisa Rhodes
