• 4th of July-What's UP July 4 - 08:34 pm

All across the U.P. today, folks will be commemorating the birth of our country with 4th of July celebrations. Typically that means parades, kid's races, contests like watermelon eating, music in the park, street dances, fireworks and plenty of picnic food. At least that's what goes on here in Lake Linden and I can still remember as a young girl, the excited anticipation of this day, with all the festivities to take part in. Now I get to relive it all again, with the excitement of my grandchildren competing in the races and decorating their bikes for the evening bike parade. It's hard to beat small town celebrations like this!

Special thanks to Elizabeth Hykas for the top photo, to start the day remembering our flag and freedom.

I was in Eagle Harbor twice on the fourth and had the great pleasure of watching the parade two times. The people walking in the parade were soooo creative. The best was when several young girls came walking by dressed as the monks.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! Thank you to ALL our Veterans! Those with us, and those watching over us! God Bless!

From one of my daily emails:

Dear God,

Today, all over the United States, people will BBQ and gather with family and friends, attend parades, concerts and fireworks displays, rightfully celebrating the freedom and liberty that we enjoy.
We know that true freedom is a work in progress, as is this nation.
Help us each to take a moment to reflect on freedom;
freedom to worship or not worship, as we choose,
freedom to live as we desire to live,
and to love whom we will.
Freedom to express and be and become.
Freedom from fear and limitations of every kind.
You are the ultimate source of freedom,
Your gift of free choice is the template for all freedoms.
Today, we bless America on her birthday,
and bless the entire Earth and all her people.
May freedom, justice, true equality and mercy,
for all people - everywhere be our common goal.
We remember the revolution that gave birth to this nation,
and commit ourselves to a new revolution of Love for All.
Help us to love beyond the illusory borders of religion,
gender, race, creed,
and political/geographic difference that we have created.
Thank You for freedom of spirit, heart and mind.
Thank You, God!
Amen

Happy 4th of July to everyone!

Happy Fourth of July! Celebrate our Freedom!

The second photo is very impressive....and I love the little boys on their decorated bike and trike! God bless the U.S.A.!

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy 4th of July everyone! Thanks Pasty.com for continuing to provide this website. I found it five years ago, and I realize it has been around longer than that. I enjoy looking at it frequently, but it's been a while since I've posted. I'm out of town for the summer, so I enjoy looking at the photos to remind of what I'm missing in the Keweenaw!

If I may, I'd like to take the opportunity to invite Hancock school district residents to exercize their American right to participate in local government... At the school board meeting at 5:30 pm, July 5, 2011, Hancock schools will be voting to approve a contract for privatized busing service through 2014. If you would like to retain your current school bus drivers, please go to the meeting and speak in support of them! The current in-house department is very competitive in terms of keeping costs low. They could keep them lower if only given the opportunity.

Link to the school board agenda index:
http://www.hancock.k12.mi.us/cat_index_234.php

Ahh, you just gotta luv it! The boundless energy, enthusiasm, and yes, patriotism exhibited in every city, town, village, and wide spot in the road in da Copper Country on national holidays, and probably with equal vigor throughout the UP. Like a Norman Rockwell illustration come to life!

It couldn't be outdone anywhere else in the USA.

Thank you for these pictures showing what is so great about America! These little ones celebrating their freedom ~ which was paid for by the veterans depicted in the 2nd picture. Thank you veterans and active duty troops! May we always appreciate and celebrate what a great country America is/was and always will be.

God bless America!

Happy 4th of July! It is a delight to see pictures of the parade and
other festivities in Lake Linden. I have fond memories of attending
parades in Calumet and Lake Linden.

In celebration of this day I have posted a quote of George
Washington on my blog:
www.carolvanderwoude.authorweblog.com

LOVE the 2nd photo!! Is there a true American alive who wouldn't appreciate that particular float?

I do miss being in Lake Linden on the 4th, even though the 4th out here is celebrated a lot like it is in Lake Linden. I think there's more for the kids in Lake Linden, though. But that would be because the carnival is always here during the 4th for the kids.

Mary, aren't those your grandsons in the last picture? All of the pictures are awesome? Thanks, pasty!!!

Mary says: Correct, Deb! That's them in the two race photos, also!

You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism. ~Erma Bombeck

Like I heard it said once, "For a safe and sane 4th, don't get a 5th on the 3rd." HAPPY FORTCHULY!! Hows's that for Finnglish? God sure has blessed US UP here.

Whoops! Should have been how's that for ....