Independence Day

As a child, I looked forward to the 4th of July.  My family's was the fifth house in a row of  eleven houses. On that day, the neighborhood came out for a block party.  The kiddy pools were filled for the kiddies, and the beer coolers were filled for the adults. The neighbors barbecued (with charcoal) and partied late into the night.  I don't remember fireworks.  We surely weren't driven to see any;  the picnic tables and barbecues blocked the garages.  And the adults were really happy plopped in their lawn chairs and downing their brews. We kids had ice cream, sparklers, "punks," and fireflies.  It was a good time.

As an older teen and young adult, we had moved, and I don't remember much of a big deal being made about the holiday. Sometimes we went to a parade where Dad marched as a Pearl Harbor Survivor. Many times there were picnics with "The Survivors" that followed.  Occasionally we'd hear of fireworks at Villanova University. Sometimes we went, most times we didn't.  

And then I was hired to teach in Harford County and I was introduced to a Havre de Grace Fourth of July.

I belonged to the Tidewater Players, a local theatre group.  Each year we built a float for the parade.  I think the first one I worked on was Hello Dolly.  We had a staircase from which Rita Hurst would descend wearing the magical red dress.  There were five or six tea tables with handsome tuxedoed waiters bringing trays of champagne glasses to the  beauties sitting at them and dressed in long dresses, hats, and  elbow length white gloves.  Those gloves looked great as we waved to the crowd.  Songs from the musical played from the cab, and the crowd loved us.   My favorite float was South Pacific.  Rita and crew built a paper mache mountain.  We had a keg and spigot with running water so Lilma could wash that man right outta her hair. We were dressed in Polynesian garb or sailor suits and the colorful float won a nice award. Harry Malin, our group's beloved founder, played a drunken sailor catching a nap in the dinghy.  He was in his glory.  Afterwards, we would picnic at Flossie and Harry's home.  We'd watch the fireworks on Ernie M.'s boat.  We'd hit the carnival, and round out the evening at an Aberdeen bar.  Those were the days, my friend, we thought they'd never end.  

For the past thirteen years, my family has come from the Philadelphia area to give my sister's kids a real Havre de Grace Fourth ( or Fifth or Sixth depending upon the day the holiday falls) experience.  They check in at the VanDiver Inn in Hdg.  (One year I called my sister in a panic because I'd been to an event at the Inn and realized she probably hadn't made her reservations and it might have been too late.  No problem. When Helen called John, her rooms had already been penciled in the reservation book.) The day before the event we have a real Maryland eating experience, crabs and chicken at the River Shack in Chestertown, MD.  Our spot to watch the parade is guaranteed by the VanDiver. We like to sit on the porch for the great view, and because the fans blow and the food and drinks are close. Afterwards, we nap off our Sangrias or go to the pool. We'd then barbecue at Dee Ashby's house.  We no longer barbecue; we order food from Pat's and let them deliver it so we don't have to deal with the traffic. (Smart move, huh?)  We used to watch the fireworks at Dee's house, but the trees have grown too tall.  Now we hike to the hospital parking lot and watch from the top level. Perfect view, and no fighting the traffic to get out of town.  This year was an especially perfect holiday because the weather was crisp and cool; unheard of for HdG in July!  

I hope you had a joyous time celebrating Independence Day.  If you didn't, then next year you must plan a trip to Havre de Grace for a true small town USA flag waving celebration!  Stop by the VanDiver Inn, and I'll treat you to a Sangria.