(I apologize-I have some great pictures and I wanted to upload them here, but my internet was being extremely slow...instead you can find pictures from Independence Day and more!)
We usually celebrate our Independence Day alla in the US with BBQs, red, white and blue dyed foods and drinks, and fireworks. We play football on the beach, eat hot dogs, watch baseball and decorate the country with millions of flags. On July 4th, I'm usually down the Cape camping with my mom, aunt and sisters and honestly its not a huge holiday for us. For us it means another beach day followed by fireworks on the beach at night while eating an ice cream treat from the ice cream truck. Even though it's not a big holiday, it's always very relaxing!
Here Independence Day is a bit different. The preparations begin many months in advance. Each school has their own marching band/drum corps, flag holders and dance group. They practice from May until September, most days after school. As it gets closer to September, practice is held everyday- weekends included. The dancers must move in complete unison, the drummers must beat as hard and loud as they possibly can and the flag bearers must walk with strong straight arms. And the costumes- the costumes are everything! One school dressed as cowboys and cowgirls- all in jeans and plaid shirts- the girls in high heeled black suede boots. Another school chose a military inspired costume adorned with feathers, beads and of course, high heels. Everything must be perfect! 7 am on Setptember 14th, the schools begin to march , stopping every 10-15 minutes to perform their dance. This 7 am march is just practice before the 830 am actual procession begins. The bands continue passing by for a few hours- they end at the central park for a big presentation celebration. They announce the name of each school, while the school continues to dance and drum. It's definitely a different way to celebrate, but I enjoyed it!
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