Feel Good Friday: July 4th!

I’m not a fireworks person, really. Yes, they’re fun to watch—I especially like the ones that explode and dissipate into sparkly diamond glitter. But moving to Cannon Beach changed my mind about them. It was one town on the coast that enforced the “No fireworks” state law on the beach, mainly because part of said beach was a marine and wildlife sanctuary. I hadn’t considered how the noise and debris frightened and harmed the animals, birds and fish. I, personally, won’t be celebrating with them, but they are beautiful, and the video below is a view you’ve probably not seen before: via a drone flying into them.

The big extravaganza in Cannon Beach on July 4th is the parade down Hemlock St. Anyone and EVERYone comes out to watch or participate, and it is a blast. One street does lawn chair drills; people dress themselves, their kids and their pets in red, white and blue; everyone is laughing and saying hello. (These photos are of parades past.) And right there on the main drag every year, the bank is serving up strawberry shortcake, and the library is having a book sale to end all book sales. All-American, all-Americana.

So celebrate our independence in your own way this weekend, whether it’s a picnic with friends and family, taking in part of the local Beast of the East games, watching fireworks at Oglebay Park, or picking up fresh produce at the Ohio Valley Farmers Market in Bellaire. Have a safe and happy weekend!