Best 4th of July Fireworks in America

Well it’s that time of the year once again when we as Americans have the privilege to celebrate the birth of our nation. It has been 233 years and counting since the Declaration of Independence was signed by our founding fathers in 1776. Thanks to their dedication and hard work we enjoy freedom and liberty like no other nation in the world. That is a pretty good reason to celebrate! You will find birthday parties across all 50 states for the good old U.S.A on the 4th of July from small-town parades and picnics, concerts and baseball games to huge fireworks displays.

1. Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia, PA

Here Independence Day is a big deal! When the sun goes down on July 4, Philadelphia will host one of the most amazing free outdoor concerts in America as top performers take to the stage. The music and fun will be followed by a spectacular fireworks grand finale set against the dramatic Art Museum.

2. “Go 4th on the River” – New Orleans, LA

New Orleans is home to the Go 4th on the River Dueling Barges Fireworks Extravaganza! This year will be the 19th year locals and visitors will find a seat near the levy, and watch the fireworks display from two barges over the Mighty Mississippi, choreographed to stirring patriotic classics.

3. Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular – Boston, MA

The Boston Pops Orchestra plays an annual 4th of July Concert each year and thousands of people line the banks of the Charles River for the concert and pyrotechnic display each year.

4. Washington Monument – Washington, DC

Starting with a performance by the National Symphony Orchestra the fireworks will begin shortly after 9:00 p.m. painting beautiful strokes of radiant light across the sky with the nation’s monuments in the background.

5. The Macy’s Fireworks Spectacular – New York, NY

Beginning over the East River each year, this celebration is bigger than ever using 120,000 blasts of color and 55 times more fireworks than the average show in the U.S.

6. Lake Tahoe, NV

These fireworks are set off by Pyrodigital Consultants and features a wide variety of patterns, lights, designs and shapes. You can watch these Independence Day fireworks almost anywhere on the lake and music is broadcast from radio stations.

7. Navy Pier – Chicago, IL

Annually the city of Chicago cosponsors the Fourth of July celebration with Navy Pier. Come and enjoy a dazzling fireworks display over Lake Michigan synchronized to patriotic music.

8. H-E-B Austin Symphony July 4th Concert & Fireworks – Austin, TX

The Austin Symphony will salute America by perform patriotic music, including the 1812 Overture beginning at 8:30 p.m.,which will feature the shooting of cannons by the Texas National Guard Salute Battery. Then at 9:30 p.m fireworks will be shot over Lady Bird Lake.

9. Gas Works Park – Seattle, WA

Seattle salutes America with an extravagant fireworks show over Lake Union which is classically set to traditional anthems, classic oldies and current hits.

10. Coronado Fireworks Display – Coronado, CA

This is a family friendly event located on the island of Coronado in the San Diego Bay. This city offers visitors a unique vantage point from which to watch the fireworks paint the sky!

Whether you choose to attend one of these celebrations or one in you own home town, make sure to take a moment or two to reflect on the meaning of the 4th of July. I’m your host Allison Davis, until next time… sit back, relax with your family, and enjoy the show!

Lake and Beach Safety Tips for the 4th of July for Infant Swimming

Infant Swimming Resource, a provider of self-rescue swimming lessons for babies and toddlers from six months to six years old, has supplied the following tips to help families protect their young children in and around the water this 4th of July weekend.

Lake and Beach Safety Tips

1. CEO Supervision – Never turn your back on your child around water. It takes just seconds for him/her to be in serious trouble. At the beach, it’s important that the supervising adult is no farther away than 10 feet from a young child. Segment the supervision responsibilities so there are never questions about which adult is responsible for watching the child and be aware of the distractions unique to the beach/shore setting: heat, noise, people-watching, sun glare, and the monotony of a young child’s repetitive play. Even professional beach lifeguards guard the beach in timed segments… you should too.

2. Bright Colors – Dress your child in bright colors when going to the lake or the beach. Use a consistent bright color and style of swim suit so all family members have a consistent image of what the child is wearing.

3. Pictures - Have a picture of your child in the consistent “beach suit or lake outfit” with you to show the life guard or others who may be with you. Put it in a plastic bag.

4. Cell Phones – Your cell phone is VERY important. You may want to protect it from the salt spray by putting it in plastic bag.

5. Self-rescue Skills – Teach young children self-rescue skills as the final layer of defense if they go unnoticed into a body of water. Survival swimming and a demonstration of the roll back to float skills prior to all water recreation is important. Let your certified Infant Swimming Resource instructor know you are going to the beach or lake so skills that are of greater benefit in rapidly moving, turbulent water with poor visibility, can be stabilized or practiced more during lessons.

6. Dock Safety – Have a hook, rope and throw ring attached to the dock such that these can be used at a moment’s notice. Teach and practice their use but do not allow unsupervised practice or play with these vital survival tools.

7. Rope off a wading/swimming area – Begin at the shore and extend a rope out to a depth of your choice. Allow your children to swim off of the shore ONLY in this area. It reduces where you might have to search, where they might be upon evading your home supervision.

8. Go no further line – Paint a ‘go no further line’ 2.5 feet in from all edges of the dock. Teach children to hold an adult’s hand between that line and the any edge of the dock. This is better than the verbal and vague … do not get too close to the edge… Install a dock gate at the entrance of the dock that is armed with an alarm.

9. Life Jackets - Life jackets must be worn in a boat or around the water when there is the potential for an accidental submersion. But, life jackets are not a substitute for the ability to swim nor for adult supervision. When picking out a life jacket, please read the warning labels as some of them will not float a child face-up.

10. Floaties - Flotation devices such as floaties, inflatable rings, etc., can often times provide a false sense of security for parents and children. These items can easily deflate or fall off your child’s arm leaving them in a potentially dangerous situation.

4th of July Travel Deals Still Available

With a peak summer travel weekend just days away, consumers can still jump on summer deals for 4th of July travel. Travelocity’s data shows airfare for domestic and international flights down 17 percent this 4th of July weekend compared to 2008.  Lower airfare isn’t the only summer bargain to take advantage of this holiday weekend.  If a road trip is on the horizon, hotel steals are available as well, with domestic hotel rates down 13 percent as compared to the holiday weekend last year.

Domestic Value Destinations for Hotel Stays

• San Juan – down 24%
• Honolulu – down 21%
• San Diego – down 21 %
• New York City – down 23%
• Las Vegas – down 25%

Top 5 Destinations for 4^th of July

1. Las Vegas

2. New York City

3. Los Angeles

4. Chicago

5. Orlando

“It is still possible to get a great deal, even though we’re getting close to the holiday,” Genevieve Shaw Brown, senior editor for Travelocity, said. “4th of July travel prices are consistent with the rest of the summer, despite this being a peak weekend for the industry. Consumers should jump on summer deals while they last and those planning trips for fall need to book now before capacity cuts impact airfare.”

Patriotism Pays: Free Doubletree Cookies on July First and Fourth

On the First and Fourth of July, two days filled with fun, fireworks and patriotic traditions, Doubletree Hotels is offering the “sweet treat” of complimentary, freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies to anyone who walks into any of its more than 200 locations on Canada Day and Independence Day. No purchase is necessary. Limit one fresh-baked chocolate chip cookie per person. People may simply walk into any Doubletree hotel between 12:01 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1 at Canadian Doubletree hotels and Saturday, July 4 at U.S. Doubletree locations to be welcomed with a delicious, warm chocolate chip cookie to commemorate each country’s beloved holiday, while supplies last.

The Doubletree tradition of greeting guests at check-in with its legendary, warm chocolate chip cookie has set the standard for welcoming hotel guests. More than 200 million of the 2 ½ ounce cookies, which boast an average of 20 chocolate chips, have been presented to travelers during the past two decades.

“Our `Free Cookies on the First and Fourth’ promotion is a fun way to celebrate patriotism and satisfy chocolate cravings across Canada and the United States, without even needing to be a guest,” said Mary Beth Parks, vice president of marketing for Doubletree Hotels. “We’re expecting to give out thousands of cookies to our guests and our communities this Canada Day and Independence Day – certainly more likely than any bakery or cookie company will sell on these special days!”