Happy 250th 4th of July 2026

[JHDK]

Happy 250th everyone!

I have off today which is the first time since I've worked at PS. This year we began to get Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day as paid days off. Before that it was only Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day so it's a nice change of pace.

I don't plan to do anything really. I've been getting back into Zelda: Breath of the Wild since they released a 4K update for the Switch 2 and I plan to spend most of my day playing it. I really love that game. It's my all time favorite and it unseated Ocarina of Time. I decided to give it another playthrough because Nintendo announce they will release a remake of Ocarina (everyone assumes) around Christmas so I figured if I start a new BOTW playthrough now I should be finished in time for the release of Ocarina. I haven't wasted away full days playing games since it originally came out in 2017 so it's fun to get back into it.

Also if history is my guide there will be plenty of fireworks I'll be able to see right from my place this evening so that should be cool too.

Are you all doing dork, loser, nerd shit like me and wasting a day away doing basically nothing....Hahahah....or do you have actual plans? I know we kinda talked about it through the week but here's the annual thread to really dig into it.

Happy 4th of July all!!!!!!!!!

Disney put on a very cool, special firework show for the 4th every year that they do on the 3rd and 4th. This is the 2026 version:

 

[Madison]

Thanks JHDK and Happy 250th July 4th Everybody. Seems like only yesterday I was learning about George Washington and watched the Bicentennial Parade and collected 'the quarters. It will be quiet for me. I just returned from Jacksonville on Friday and still groggy. I saw my first shark in the St. John's River. Just put out my flags at the park and the yard. I will ride out to Farmers Market or Bri's then listen to the morning music group. We are supposed to go to a party in the evening and maybe another outing with the Lions Club. Assuming no storms. If I see fireworks, it will be from any neighbors watching from my yard.
Just heard this song on the Dick Golden Show from Simon and Garfunkel, sounds like that Calypso song but is about the 4th of July

 

[Aaron]

Sitting this one out, normal Saturday for me. Enjoy the day

 

[JHDK]

and collected the quarters.

Some Of Us Still Do. Drummer Boy quarters are awesome.

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Now there are a million different quarters every year so it's not even fun to collect anymore. When it was one for all 50 states that was cool. It's overdoing it ever since.

 

[scotchandcigar]

Since we went out to the Gloucester/ North shore area twice last weekend, for dinner and an unveiling thing (headstone) with a reception, we decided not to go back there last night. Also, there were fireworks in the harbor here, which we didn't go to either. But it was good we were home to keep the dogs calm.

We are going to the cookout today. I'm actually missing playing with the wind ensemble in Portsmouth, part of the summer in the streets series. But we've had a standing invite to this party for a long time. And I rarely miss a concert, so it's fine. Plus, there may be thunderstorms anyway.

 

[scotchandcigar]

As I typed that, the city of Portsmouth canceled our performance today anyway. They said the streets are too hot to have the band setup there, or have people sit and listen. Looks like I picked the right concert to skip.

 

[Channel98]

There's been a lot of that going around lately.

Washington DC’s Fourth of July parade canceled due to soaring temperature

National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning as high temperatures have paralyzed the east coast

www.theguardian.com

 

[JHDK]

wind ensemble in Portsmouth, part of the summer in the streets series. But we've had a standing invite to this party for a long time. And I rarely miss a concert, so it's fine.

I know the point is moot cause it's canceled but if you do miss a show are they simply down an oboe (because that's definitely what you play) player or can they make a call? Also do you have a conductor? I imagine if he has to miss a show the whole thing gets canceled????

Enjoy the cookout! I've always referred to them as BBQ's. A few years ago on some comedy podcast I learned that in the USA cookout is generally used by blacks and BBQ is generally used by whites. BTW/I had to ask Gemini about that. My first thought was it was the other way around.

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I'm rambling but I find it interesting since I'm pretty sure I never even heard the term cookout until I got to FL.

There's been a lot of that going around lately.

Washington DC’s Fourth of July parade canceled due to soaring temperature

National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning as high temperatures have paralyzed the east coast

www.theguardian.com

Oh come on, take an extra water bottle and stop being so soft.

 

[scotchandcigar]

I know the point is moot cause it's canceled but if you do miss a show are they simply down an oboe (because that's definitely what you play) player or can they make a call? Also do you have a conductor? I imagine if he has to miss a show the whole thing gets canceled????

There are 3 clarinet parts, each with 4 to 5 players on a part. So we almost always have at least 3 on a part for a concert. But anyway, they know our availability months in advance, so things can be adjusted if needed.

We have a primary director/ conductor and an assistant conductor. They know the schedule for the year in advance, and they're involved in picking the dates. So it's rare that one is unavailable. But even then, the other can do the whole concert.

A BBQ is what they do down south with the smokers and all. Cooking food on a grill is a cookout.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Spending the day at my mother-in-laws in Columbus. Will watch fireworks from her front lawn tonight. Might go to a movie.

Happy 4th to all who celebrate.

 

[HecticArt]

Happy 4th of July everyone.

Got the flag out on the porch and grilling some steaks for dinner.

The rest of the day will be pretty chill.

 

[Channel98]

Here is some amazing trivia from my Useless Trivia Department: Three United States Presidents died on a July 4th. Two died on the same day! Yikes! John Adams died July 4 1826 at 90, Thomas Jefferson died July 4 1826 at 83 and James Monroe died July 4 1831 at 73.

 

[JHDK]

And Adams's last words were: "Thomas Jefferson survives". Of course he has no idea Jefferson was also dying that day being states apart in MA and VA.

John Quincy went back to being a representative for some district in MA and he was known for giving passionate speeches. Well in 1848 he gave some impassioned speech and when he sat back down he had a stroke and died in his chair in the Capitol.

 

[Wolf]

Happy 4th to you as well! I took Thursday off so I could enjoy a four-day weekend for the Fourth.

 

[scotchandcigar]

The cookout was great, and the pool was refreshing. All our dogs had a great time too.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

So this evening, we had pizza and watched a PBS 250 special from Williamsburg, VA. Hosted by John Boy of "The Waltons" fame. They did all the usual pieces including "God Save The Queen" with incorrect lyrics. Then they had some fireworks. Then we went out to the front lawn and sat on lawn chairs and watched the Clintonville (suburb of Columbus) fireworks show. It was a full 30 minutes long. Quite elaborate. When we went inside there was another PBS special (recorded on the 3rd from the Nations Capital) with better stars hosted by Carlton of "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" fame. Alan Jackson, Patti Laballe are the 2 big names I remember. I left before that one completed (with fireworks) as it was getting late.

 

[scotchandcigar]

I caught CNN when they broadcast the Boston Pops on the esplanade and fireworks/ drone show over the Charles River. 1812 Overture was great as usual. After that segment, CNN switched to DC, and I turned it off.