4th of July: What’s It to Ya?
What says “Fourth Of July!” to you?
That’s not a rhetorical question. As I struggled to write something new and fresh about the 2025 event, it occurred to me that it might be answered differently by different members.
For instance, I’m born and bred in north central Ohio. The 4th often involved a parade when I was a kid. I remember the first time – was I five then? -- they threw wrapped hard-candies off a float in the neighboring Crestline parade. I guess we went there because my grandfather worked the yard at the Pennsy hub in Crestline. Maybe.
In any case, my kindergarten friend, Bonnie, had an uncle in the works, and SHE got to ride on the float and toss candies! Grrrr.
Years passed, and it was a day off, a picnic menu with potato salad and baked beans (Campbell’s, reheated), usually at home, Salad and/or dessert was always that lime jello with pineapple and cottage cheese fill. And then, you drove into town for fireworks after dark at Heise Park, Galion.
Much later, as a young adult, I lived in yet another neighboring town, Mansfield. THEY had some stuff! The parade included a marching band or two. It ended at the public picnic at North Lake Park, with a beer truck! And the fireworks, at Mansfield Sr High’s Arlen Field were in the enclosed space of the stadium, with ‘The 1812 Overture’ ala Boston Pops played by the school band.
It was deafening … and awe inspiring! Who needs Boston harbor?
Those are mid-Ohio memories. The heat. The beer and/or lemonade. The July humidity. ‘Knee high by the 4th of July’ arises from the corn-growing power of human-flattening humidity. North Central Ohio … the sinus center of the universe!
But, I am not from Texas. (Thankfully.) Nor from Florida. (Equally, appreciatively.) They have different traditions. Pinatas! Who’da thunk? Or Everglades and Epcot Center!
I lived through a 4th in Reno, NV, once, 1971. I vaguely remember what it was like. My first born was coming up five months old. Who had time for July 4? Oh, er, right. It’s coming back to me. We were invited out to that guy’s ranch-type house at the Ponderosa-wooded edge of that valley, for BBQ. The guy had worked as a chef. So, it was filet mignon, char-grilled rare, heavenly.
But also, “Watch out for rattlers if you stroll off the deck.” Where are the beer trucks? Who cares? And what the hell was that valley called, out southeast of Reno?
You see where I’m going with this. Our memories are, at least, geo-tied.
Here we are in Greece, Athens in my case. You may be elsewhere.
I remember the first few years. I was all about ‘assimilating’ and taking in Greek holidays, not US ones. And I noticed the Embassy, advertising some weenie roast down on the coast highway … or somewhere. Like, “Guys, if I’d wanted to hang out with Americans, I’d have stayed in Ohio.”
More years pass. I lack social life. I join up with Dems Abroad. We build community. We have Fourth Of July down the coast at Anavyssos or some beach. ‘
Brady and a couple of hardy folk do a beach clean-up. Then, we descend with tables and cash boxes etc. We grill our own dogs. We pitch in for lemonade or beer. Yvette and I end up in a shouting match about the lack of prescribed table space for food service. The rest of the ensemble is terrorized. Yvette and I hug. Fourth of July proceeds.
Late in the evening, one of the volunteers gets annoyed at waiting, jumps on a local bus for Athens. We spend the next 1.5 hours looking for her to make sure she’s not left behind at the beach. Volunteer management. Make a note.
Betwixt that, ca 2010, and now, ca 2025, Fourth Of July has morphed. First of all, you’ll have noticed I keep capitalizing the O in Of. That’s because along about 2015 or 6, John Lewis dubbed the event FOJ. As in, Fourth Of July. FOJ. Sounds a little like the Hajj. Holy. It has a ring to it. Also, it’s a lot shorter to type!
And that brings us round to this year’s. DAGR left the beach, the bikini-itchy sand (thankfully, like Texas), the fireworks (we’re eco-friendly now, sigh) and the sea breeze (missed by many!)
Athens Chapter gathered in the center city, in the Zappeion green space. It was pleasant, lovely, actually. For people in the center-city and north, it sure was closer than the damned seacoast! A pittance taxi fare (Є10-15). 😊
Okay, let the taxi fare go. The surroundings were green, scenic, and relaxed … if still a bit warm from the day’s heat.
The food at the Athens Tennis Club was VERY well cooked and served, and abundant! Sweet potatoes au gratin, a lot tastier than the name suggests. The staff were great! So, kudos there, and a decent tip. And Holly’s July 4 Cake was … no exaggeration … to die for! She does this for a living and contributed the cake!
Simply put, it seems everyone who came out had a great time. Talk flowed. The evening flowed. We flowed back home. Life was Good. LG! (Yes, we know, that’s a Chinese company.) And for a sweet, short video of the gathering, go here.
But is it all that everyone remembers and wants again? Was it humid enough? Was it hot-n-dry Texan? Was it Rocky Mountain high (what the hell do they do there?) Cool Californian?
Where was the beach?!
And what should we strive for next year? 2026 is a crucial midterm election … our chance to flip the Congress and make life and ‘the coup’ difficult for the Orange Menace (that name few of us can pronounce in the same phrase with ‘our President.’)
The planning starts now!
What says “Fourth Of July!” to you? Coming soon!
- Take our short survey here! Tell us what you’d like next year!
- Check out the 2025 photos here!
- Check your answers to the 2025 Straw poll here.
###
Karen Lee is DAGR Vice Chair, former Chair, and current Communications Committee chair.