what are you doing for the 4th?

redneck joe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 18, 2009
Messages
10,200
This is where my little sister lives and we fly out tomorrow.





Why are Danes celebrating the Fourth of July?

To celebrate American independence, thousands of Danes have gathered annually at a scenic national park on a slope in Jutland ? for more than 100 years. And it's not just expats who attend.

Every July 4, American expatriates across Europe gather in military bases and touristy bars to celebrate the red, white, and blue.
But in one locale in Denmark, it?s the Europeans ? not the Americans ? who are leading the patriotic charge.

Since 1912, thousands of Danes have congregated in a national park to picnic before Old Glory, listen to speeches from American dignitaries, watch fireworks, and sing favorites such as ?Home on the Range? and ?Stars and Stripes Forever.? It?s called Rebildfesten, and organizers say it?s the largest ? and perhaps the only ? official celebration of the American holiday by foreigners.

The festival started in 1911, when a group of Danish-Americans ? members of the Rebild Society, based in Illinois ? purchased a hilly piece of land on the Danish peninsula of Jutland, revered for its beauty since the age of the Visigoths. They then gifted it to King Christian IX, on the condition that it remain natural and available for an annual American independence celebration.

Since the beginning, the festival has also been a homecoming celebration for Danish-Americans, many of whom still make the pilgrimage. A significant majority of the attendees, however, are Danes, which raises the question: Why do so many foreigners spend the day celebrating a US holiday?
?I think Danes to some extent are really like Americans in that a lot of people like a good party,? says Egon Bodtker, president of the Danish American Heritage Society. ?It?s really just a nice day out.?

The festivities begin July 2, but the busiest day is July 4. Shortly after midnight, the fireworks begin, says Linda Steffensen, a serial Rebildfesten attendee and the editor of the Danish-American newspaper The Danish Pioneer.

The next day features a 600-person lunch and speeches by Danish and American celebrities and dignitaries. Past festivals have featured notables such as Presidents Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and Chief Justice Earl Warren.
 

redneck joe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 18, 2009
Messages
10,200
so we did our display early this year. I usually spend just under a boat unit on it. This year, boy #3 is 21 and I put him in charge. He did very well.


buddy brought his drone

 

redneck joe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 18, 2009
Messages
10,200
IMG_4265_zpsbnqlxrrx.jpg.html




 
Last edited by a moderator:

MTboatguy

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Jul 8, 2010
Messages
8,988
I will probably still be under my darn plow truck trying to get the freaking starter out of it!
 

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,454
Spent 2 weeks before this at Lake Tahoe. Next week including the 4th at Big Bear Lake in CA. Life is rough.
 

Tnstratofam

Commander
Joined
Aug 18, 2013
Messages
2,679
My wife's family has a tradition of meeting at the local lake recreation area for breakfast on the 4rth. Everybody brings a breakkfast dish. Her family is a group of 8 siblings and all their children and grandchildren who live in the area or who are in for vacation. Usually 25 to 35 show up. With several staying on through the day to watch the local boat parade.

We will take our boat up as do a few of the others so we can spend our 4rth on the water after breakfast. Hope everyone has a good 4rth.

Watauga Lake by the way. The headwater of the TVA chain of lakes here. In Tn.
 

southkogs

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 7, 2010
Messages
14,785
Up in Michigan now visiting family (will see most of the mitten before I'm done) ... but on the 4th proper, I'll be driving.
 

robert graham

Admiral
Joined
Apr 16, 2009
Messages
6,908
Boss-lady and I driving down to apalachicola,fl. for R&R, oysters, beer, fishing, etc., more beer!....
 

sam60

Captain
Joined
May 21, 2011
Messages
3,189
Going to strike out a few things on a honey-do list. Mom is coming to visit late next week escorted by our Son who is driving her here. 6 hour trip for them.
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
15,417
Meetings in Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Cleveland this week.

Not going anywhere.

A little pool time with frequent trips to the adult beverage dispenser in the garage
 

aspeck

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
May 29, 2003
Messages
18,588
Spent yesterday in services and after the evening service we dumped the boat in the water and traveled 15 miles up lake to watch the fireworks. Today we hit the water with friends before going to the local nursing home for a party with the residents, then transporting them to the parking lot to watch the fireworks. Tomorrow (4th) we visit mom and then help out with a neighborhood 4th of July party. Lot's of fun, and have had the boat out on the water more this summer already than I have the last couple years combined. Life is good.
 

sphelps

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 16, 2011
Messages
11,429
Hanging by and in the pool ... Burgers and dogs on the grill with all the trimmings on the menu ! :usa2:
 

82rude

Rear Admiral
Joined
May 8, 2012
Messages
4,082
Best wishes to my American friends for the 4th.You let this semi old fool into your country to buy your cheap gas so your the best neighbors in my books:D Enjoy your big day tomorrow and be safe and may your bbq ing be perfect.
 

ob

Admiral
Joined
Aug 16, 2002
Messages
6,992
Hot daytime temps + high winds forecasted+crowds at launches= my wife and I going to sons house for some shrimp and oysters tomorrow.
 
Top