4 Ways To Celebrate Independence Day

Francis Scott Key was wrong. The flag wasn’t still there – at least not the one that had flown during, and somehow survived, the British attack on Baltimore’s Fort McHenry.  

No, the “star-spangled banner” that Key “hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming” – the flag that inspired the 30-ish lawyer and amateur lyricist to write the poem that later would be set to music and eventually become our national anthem – had been run up the flagpole only after the battle, once the torrential rains that that had drenched the dramatic scene for hours abated.

Why? Because: Had the big, 30-by-42-foot flag that Key saw been allowed to fly during the thunderstorm that pounded Baltimore in tandem with British bombs, it would have soaked up so much rainwater it would have weighed 500 pounds – enough to snap the flagpole. That’s right; snap the flagpole. So, in its place, all through the battle, a smaller, 17-by-25-foot flag flew over the fort -- a “storm flag” that was taken down and put away before Key beheld the fight’s aftermath. That little-bitty flag wasn’t going to snap the flagpole if it got soaked.

And yet – here we are. The Star Spangled Banner now housed in the Smithsonian Institution’s American History Museum wasn’t the one that miraculously made it through the onslaught of artillery loosed by 50 British warships that September day, but it sure-as-shootin' is the one that inspired Key to write the song we sing before baseball games, and what else matters? So there it is, on display for posterity at the Smithsonian.

It’s kind of like our bacon-flavored lip balm, whose awe factor far outweighs the fact that it might not contain any real bacon grease.

It’s like Independence Day, too, which commemorates -- guess what -- the day the Continental Congress merely adopted the Declaration of Independence and not the dramatic, defy-the-king-at-risk-of-imminent-death moment of its signing, which was on August 2, 1776.

Details, details! It’s the essence of a thing that matters, right? Are we supposed to care when we’re cooking out and shooting off fireworks and listening to Uncle Ted burp that we’re not doing it on the same date that John Hancock signed his name extra big so the king could read it without his spectacles? Um – we think not. I mean, thanks, and everything, John – thanks to you and all your fellow king-giggers; we owe you guys a great deal -- more than we could ever repay. But what matters most is being in the moment. Right, Francis Scott Key?

So we have four suggestions.

1. Celebrate with a picnic.

Make great memories having a picnic with family and friends. Arrange something simple if you like, such as eating lunch and playing games.  

How about going to the park and taking a Frisbee or a ball? Or having a race where everybody runs in slow motion?  

Here at Vidler's, we don’t have anything to help you run in slow motion, but we do have great games and game accessories. After all, we’re the largest 5 & 10 globally, so you can get whatever you need to make your holiday awesome.

2. Dress in red, white, and blue.

There is no better patriotic symbol than dressing up in patriotic colors. Wearing red, white, and blue is one of the simplest ways to celebrate the Independence Day holiday.  

You can get hats, flags, and a red, white, or blue shirt. Or you can just paint yourself with the right colors.  

You can also consider painting patriotic colors on other people's nails or cheeks.

3. Have a backyard barbeque.

Turn Independence Day into a family reunion holiday. Invite your cousins, uncles, aunts, siblings, and other essential members of your circle. Host a backyard barbeque that leaves everyone salivating. The Fourth of July is a summertime holiday and thus a great opportunity to host a backyard party  

Share meals, such as hot dogs and beverages, with your family. Nothing brings people together like sharing a wonderful meal.  

Make sure to include backyard games. Games offer the family the chance to compete and bond. It gives one the chance to create new memories.

4. Give (and receive) gifts.

If you have an invitation to a Fourth of July event, do not forget to take gifts to your hosts. Gifting allows you to show how much you care and value the people you love. It ensures that people will always have something to remember you by, wherever you are.

Why go to Vidler's?

We have been in the market for over 90 years now, since 1930. Vidler's is on Main Street in East Aurora]. We’ve been in business long enough to know what our customers want or need, and we look forward to providing the best of services to customers.

As the largest 5 & 10 in the world, we can tell you this with confidence: You can be sure to get almost everything you may need. Whether you need items for a barbeque, picnic, or backyard games; we have your back. We look forward to making your Independence Day perfect for you and your family.

At Vidler's, we have an abundance of items to make your Independence day holiday dreams come true. Visit us and see our associates for whatever you may need. Also, contact us for more details of what you require. 

From all associates at Vidler's, we wish you a happy and memorable Independence Day!

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