Now that I’m back in Northern Michigan for the summer what better way to celebrate than a parade! I’m from a super small town and most of the year not much goes on here. My dad lives about 3 miles from “downtown” tucked away in the woods. If you were to go into town you would find a post office, a general store/gas station, a bar maybe 2 bars and not much else. What does go on here though is the biggest little 4th in the north. Everyone around here gets super excited about it and our little town gets filled to the brim with locals and guests. It all starts off with a parade and continues  through the day with a beer tent, food and vendors and then right around dark there are fireworks at the park.

I don’t ever remember going to the parade but I went to the fireworks a few times in high school with friends of mine. The last few years I was home there was a tradition of volleyball on the beach at a friends place and swimming when it got too hot. Instead of watching fireworks in a crowded park we would lay on the beach while our friend’s dad let off his own fireworks right over our heads and we all hoped they wouldn’t actually hit us.

All those traditions are over now with everyone having gone their own way so this year I went back home for the 4th. My dad and I drove the 3 miles into town with the dog and sat by the side of the road while the parade went by and the candy went flying. It was actually kind of fun and it was nice running into old friends along the way.

I’m hoping to catch the fireworks later too! Woo! Happy 4th everyone! Stay safe.