July 4th is just around the corner, which means it’ll soon be Independence Day in America. For those of you who weren’t paying attention in history class, July 4th was a pretty important day in American history- in 1776, the Declaration of Independence from the tyranny of British rule was signed that day. Today, it’s celebrated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, ceremonies, and more. Here’s a look at events in four American cities, all well worth attending.
New York City
In New York City, the big news this year is that their annual fireworks display is moving back to the East River after 5 years of being on the Hudson. Several barges will be set up near the Brooklyn bridge for front-row viewing, located near FDR Drive, Brooklyn Bridge Park & Brooklyn heights. There’s dozens of far less crowded places that are equally good for gathering nearby, though, for those of you who’d rather have some space as you enjoy the show.
If you’re looking to fill your day, consider also filling your stomach at the annual Coney Island hot dog eating competition. Put on by Nathan’s brand hot dogs, NYC will be one of 12 cities competing in their nation-wide hot dog speed eating contest. The battle of the buns begins at 12PM, and all the action will be televised on ESPN. Arrive early for pre-show entertainment and musical acts.
Looking for something a little smaller in the big city? Consider the 101st annual Travis Parade on Staten Island, starting right around 12PM. Put together by the small Staten community of Travis, their patriotism is only rivaled by the intense elaborateness of the decorations found on the houses in the community. Watch the parade, then check out the community- and judge for yourself which house is worthy of the Home Decorating Contest gold. Arrive early, dress in your finest red, white & blue, and you’re set for a day of fun.
Los Angeles
California’s largest and one of the nation’s most well-established Patriotic boat parades is the Newport Harbor Old Glory Boat Parade. Watch out for the water spray from the fire boats, as a whole host of boats float by, decked out in their finest red, white & blue. The boat parade sees over 100+ vessels cruise through the harbor of Newport Beach, CA. Brought to you by the American Legion Yacht Club, they also serve up a pancake breakfast, a BBQ lunch and live music and dancing. Parade begins at 1 p.m. Newport Beach.
Marina Del Rey is known for being the world’s largest man-made small craft harbor with 19 marinas with capacity for over 5000 boats, but it’s more than just a home for thousands of beautiful vessels. In fact, if you get there early enough on July 4th, you’ll find yourself with one of the best seats you could ever ask for as the booms go off. The fireworks are shot from a barge in the Marina’s main channel, which practically means double the fireworks- assuming you count the gorgeous reflections in the water, anyhow. Show starts at 9PM, but this event is world-renowned for a reason- get there early!
If you want to attend the biggest Independence Day event that you possibly can, though, look no further than Americafest at the Rose Bowl Stadium, now in its 88th year of patriotic revelry. The festival begins outside starting at around 2PM, featuring food, entertainment, crafts, exhibits and inflatable rides for the kids. From there, it only gets bigger- starting at 7PM, the events begin inside- featuring motorcycle stunts and musical entertainment that’s sure to delight the entire family. The night is punctuated by the single largest fireworks show in Southern California, starting at 9PM and thrilling the audience throughout.
Miami
If you’re in Miami for this 4th, your fireworks viewing options are virtually limitless. Grab a drink, hit the beach, and enjoy one of the few nights a year where Miami feels like America. Chances are that the beaches will be crowded, and that your secret spots will be too- so dress up in your favorite patriotic swimwear or one piece swimsuit and hobnob it up with your fellow patriots. Sand between your toes, cold drink in hand, beautiful neons cascading over the water- does it get any better?
If you need some day plans before you hit the sands, consider heading out to CocoWalk in Coconut Grove. Their 6th annual Hot Dog Eating Contest is always a sight to see, and a great alternative to hopping on a plane to NYC for the contest mentioned earlier. Watch as the competitors slam them down, or even get in on the competitive eating action yourself! If you need a walk afterwards, take a stroll out to Peacock Park- it’s a great place to watch pretty things explode.
A more old-fashioned way to spend your 4th can also be had, and perhaps nowhere better than Key Biscane for its annual Fourth of July Parade. Now in its 55th year, the promenade will feature patriotically themed professional floats, marching groups, and an exciting homemade float contest. It all starts at 11AM, rain or shine, and fireworks will light the evening.
Seattle
As fireworks shows in Seattle goes, Seafair 2014’s fireworks celebration is undoubtedly one of the best- and there’s about a million ways to get to it. The Seafair Summer Fourth concludes with a fantastic fireworks show, starting at 10:20 p.m. and lasting about 20 minutes. Keep your eyes peeled for skydivers at twilight before the fireworks start! Western Display Fireworks is a fourth generation family-owned business the puts out the finest in pyrotechnic productions. With over 60 years of experience, Western Display Fireworks are the oldest and largest aerial display company in the Northwest and are a part of hundreds of celebrations annually. The fireworks are fully choreographed to the Seafair Summer Fourth musical score, utilizing cutting edge technology, embracing in crowd favorites like the weeping willow fireworks. 
Gas Works Park on Lake Union in Wallingford is one great place to watch these fireworks, with All-American games, festival-style food booths, interactive exhibits and live entertainment awaiting you at the Seafair Summer Fourth! The park will open at noon to the public and will close after the fireworks show, around 11 p.m. Kids are welcome to participate in all-American games by the entertainment stage that include Hula Hoop Contests, Pie Eating Contests, Sack Races and more. Those 21 and over can enjoy a beverage in the Beer Garden and listen to live bands and other programming throughout the day. Watch out for incredible skydivers during the day and at twilight before the fireworks! The evening will culminate with an awe-inspiring fireworks show to celebrate the U.S.A. 
If Gasworks isn’t your thing, visit Lake Union Park for a rocking entertainment stage, bustling beer garden and food vendors galore. This area will feature a large display by the Air National Guard, where attendees can check out large military vehicles and other equipment. Fireworks light the night sky to conclude this magical day of red, white and blue fun! Lake Union itself is also open to boaters, so if you’d prefer keeping to the comfort of your 78′ Selene yacht, that’s a great option too! Just be sure to drive extra careful, as visibility can be a bit smoky after the show- and keep an eye out for anyone who might have celebrated their Independence a little too hard with their favorite beer in hand, too. Safety first!
