Has 4th Of July become an underrated holiday now?

[DodgerGirl]

I can remember when every summer when July came around that it meant that 4th Of July was on it's way and people used to anticipate it just like they do for Christmas in December. But now it seems that 4th Of July is not the big deal as it once was in years past and I cannot figure it out? Is it because 4th Of July has become a underrated holiday or is it because they're focusing on the other big holidays now such as Labor Day in September and Columbus Day in October. Because it used to be that Memorial Day and 4th Of July used to celebrated a lot because they used to be huge holidays where you had barbecues on Memorial Day and on 4th Of July they would have America themed parades. But even on TV this July 4th there was little mention of 4th Of July and the only 4th Of July themed programming shown was Macy's Fireworks Spectacular and the annual PBS special A Capitol Fourth and it shocked me because there used to be America themed movies and shows being shown on that day and what it tells me is that 4th Of July will disappear from the calendars and no longer be considered a holiday in the future. And I saw very little stores advertise 4th Of July sales as well

 

[disykat]

I didn't notice any difference in the way the 4th was celebrated here, but I guess I've never considered it a very major holiday. Lots of fireworks around our house all weekend, so it seems to me it was a four day event this year rather than one day!

 

[mousefan73]

I can remember when every summer when July came around that it meant that 4th Of July was on it's way and people used to anticipate it just like they do for Christmas in December. But now it seems that 4th Of July is not the big deal as it once was in years past and I cannot figure it out? Is it because 4th Of July has become a underrated holiday or is it because they're focusing on the other big holidays now such as Labor Day in September and Columbus Day in October. Because it used to be that Memorial Day and 4th Of July used to celebrated a lot because they used to be huge holidays where you had barbecues on Memorial Day and on 4th Of July they would have America themed parades. But even on TV this July 4th there was little mention of 4th Of July and the only 4th Of July themed programming shown was Macy's Fireworks Spectacular and the annual PBS special A Capitol Fourth and it shocked me because there used to be America themed movies and shows being shown on that day and what it tells me is that 4th Of July will disappear from the calendars and no longer be considered a holiday in the future. And I saw very little stores advertise 4th Of July sales as well

My FB feed is still full of people at parades, or fireworks or simply doing stuff. Many take advantage of a 4 day weekend. For me the 4th I never considfered a major holiday.. I am almost 50 and honestly I dont recall any pending excitment for the 4th growing up. Yes there were fireworks in our town which sometimes tied in with other fests- but I dont recall be super excited and going all out As a family we never did a big BBQ or party. In my early 20s it was a day to party ( hard often) and be on or in water.

The only memory I do recall on the 4th is that is was usually so miserably hot - like not looking forward to it hot.

 

[Southernmiss]

I detect no change.

As a kid, we got together with extended family for a day of swimming and fireworks at our local Elks club.

As an adult, it's a holiday we celebrate out of town with MIL and her inlaws with a cookout, town fireworks one night and family fireworks another.

My son joined his inlaws out of town for a big family party beginning with a town softball game and then a parade where 18 of them and their dogs dressed in storybook character costumes.

Followed by a gathering with food.

My town always has a big fishing rodeo with carnival rides and fireworks on the 4th.

And we bought mattresses on sale this weekend.

 

[PollyannaMom]

There were still a bunch of activities happening in my town, but I think I know what you mean about the "anticipation factor" being lower. - We had a guest who was surprised by a detour because he hadn't even heard there was going to be a parade!

I think there are several reasons:

1) People are so distracted nowadays. There isn't much downtime in which we just talk/get excited about future events, because there's always something taking up our attention right now.

(Plus, the pandemic made some people a little hesitant to invest too much emotionally in upcoming plans. - We're getting there. We're definitely making plans again, but there's still a certain "if nothing goes wrong" factor in the back of people's minds, maybe preventing them from hyping plans up as much as they might have in the past.)

2) Extreme weather was a factor in much of the country. So I think many plans actually were tentative this year, just because of that. - I know our nearest big city's celebrations were.

3) I think many people were actually a little ambivalent about celebrating our country this year. We've certainly got some issues going on right now (no matter which side you're looking at them from) and people might have felt a little torn.

4) Specifically to your comment about patriotic movies - I think that has to do with viewing habits changing in the time of streaming. Because any movie you want is available any time, people don't rely on broadcast television like they used to, so holiday programming isn't as big a priority.

 

[Beezle2]

I can remember when every summer when July came around that it meant that 4th Of July was on it's way and people used to anticipate it just like they do for Christmas in December. But now it seems that 4th Of July is not the big deal as it once was in years past and I cannot figure it out? Is it because 4th Of July has become a underrated holiday or is it because they're focusing on the other big holidays now such as Labor Day in September and Columbus Day in October. Because it used to be that Memorial Day and 4th Of July used to celebrated a lot because they used to be huge holidays where you had barbecues on Memorial Day and on 4th Of July they would have America themed parades. But even on TV this July 4th there was little mention of 4th Of July and the only 4th Of July themed programming shown was Macy's Fireworks Spectacular and the annual PBS special A Capitol Fourth and it shocked me because there used to be America themed movies and shows being shown on that day and what it tells me is that 4th Of July will disappear from the calendars and no longer be considered a holiday in the future. And I saw very little stores advertise 4th Of July sales as well

I have NEVER been as excited for the 4th of July like it was Christmas. It is just one of those "how do we feel this year" sort of events. If we are tired or don't want to deal with heat and crowds we don't bother with it. We have done fire works, parades, parties, etc but mostly for the kids. Now that we are older, we don't care and that factors in. And maybe now a days folks really take into account safety issues that never came up back in the halcyon days of yore.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

It still seems to be really big as far as I can tell. I think that the celebrations are a bit wilder and bigger on the actual 4th when it falls on a day that most people are off the next day.

 

[tzolkin]

or is it because they're focusing on the other big holidays now such as Labor Day in September and Columbus Day in October.

Who is focusing on the "big" holiday of Columbus Day? I have never heard of "celebrating" Columbus Day in my entire life. Certainly no decorations, parties, etc like there are for Independence Day. Many states don't even recognize it as a holiday at all so schools are still in session and everyone is at work.

 

[Smugpugmug]

There were still celebrations around me, but I've never celebrated 4th of July in general so nothing has changed for me. I'm happy for the day off and that's about it.

 

[TippyThomas]

I just spent a week of evenings comforting and cuddling with animals at the shelter who were terrified of the constant booming and banging all around them. If the amount of people setting off fireworks is any indication, it is most certainly not underrated now.

 

[GAN]

Who is focusing on the "big" holiday of Columbus Day? I have never heard of "celebrating" Columbus Day in my entire life. Certainly no decorations, parties, etc like there are for Independence Day. Many states don't even recognize it as a holiday at all so schools are still in session and everyone is at work.

Columbus Day is still celebrated here in RI ..festivals, parades -although it's taken on more of a Fall celebration more than anything. Then again, we still celebrate VJ Day(or Victory day as it's "officially" referred to) here, so almost anything for a day off I suppose.

 

[seshat0120]

*edit...never mind, not worth it*

 

[mousefan73]

I just spent a week of evenings comforting and cuddling with animals at the shelter who were terrified of the constant booming and banging all around them. If the amount of people setting off fireworks is any indication, it is most certainly not underrated now.

I would totally lovec to volenteer to be an animal cuddler for days like this.. but I live in germany we only do fireworks on NYE. and they last for 20 min may.. from 12am-12-20 ish... so easy to plan for with pets. I have been reading online FB how myfriends are complaining the fireworks are never endingover the week

 

[easyas123]

July 4th was always a big day of gathering together for our family, and when the kids were little fireworks. Depending on the day of the week it falls on it still can be.

 

[dvcgirl67]

I just spent a week of evenings comforting and cuddling with animals at the shelter who were terrified of the constant booming and banging all around them. If the amount of people setting off fireworks is any indication, it is most certainly not underrated now.

That's a very cool thing to do. We have one dog who is terrified, and instead of just one day of fireworks, we've been unlucky enough to have had five in a row now. The police do nothing if it's in the vicinity of the 4th. In other parts of NJ, this nonsense goes on all summer.....all since the pandemic. I have a friend who actually sold her home because she lived in a town that has fallen into this never ending fireworks all summer and her dog has a serious fear.

 

[TippyThomas]

That's a very cool thing to do. We have one dog who is terrified, and instead of just one day of fireworks, we've been unlucky enough to have had five in a row now. The police do nothing if it's in the vicinity of the 4th. In other parts of NJ, this nonsense goes on all summer.....all since the pandemic. I have a friend who actually sold her home because she lived in a town that has fallen into this never ending fireworks all summer and her dog has a serious fear.

I wish there was a way we could have done more for them because even our just being there comforting them didn't seem to help completely. It's very hard to witness what fear and anxiety can do to an animal that normally is happy, friendly and playful. It's been a rough week for all of us. I wish people would just pick one day to do it instead of the 5 to 7 they seem to do now.

 

[CindyKansas]

I live in the mid-west and I didn't detect a change either. I do work at a community college and we didn't have a 4 day weekend (we had to work on Monday the 3rd) so that did put a hamper on doing some things. The community had a fireworks display the evening of the 3rd. We still grilled and listened/watched the neighborhood kids have fun with their fireworks on the evening of the 4th. I do know that TCM had a few patriotic movies playing on the 4th.

Columbus Day isn't a big holiday here. No parades, we still work that day. It's never been a "BIG" holiday here.

 

[dvcgirl67]

I wish there was a way we could have done more for them because even our just being there comforting them didn't seem to help completely. It's very hard to witness what fear and anxiety can do to an animal that normally is happy, friendly and playful. It's been a rough week for all of us. I wish people would just pick one day to do it instead of the 5 to 7 they seem to do now.

I agree....one display per town is something we can all work around. It's the small groups/individuals with illegal fireworks that have become the issue. Every night it's like we're under attack. I can't imagine how anyone with PTSD that is triggered by gunshots or explosions handles it. And of course the dogs suffer so much. It's just become too much and has put a real damper on the 4th.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Has 4th Of July become an underrated holiday now?

No

 

[tzolkin]

Columbus Day is still celebrated here in RI ..festivals, parades -although it's taken on more of a Fall celebration more than anything.

Interesting. Like with someone dressed up as Columbus with ships or something? It's hard for me to even imagine how Columbus Day would be "celebrated"-- activities, decorations, etc. Back when I was a kid (80s), we had a lesson in elementary school ("in fourteen hundred ninety-two Columbus sailed the ocean blue") and we had the day off, but I have never seen any place that had actual celebrations or parades. It was more of just an "in name only" day that people had off work/school, but not considered an actual holiday.

Columbus Day has been contentious for quite some time and many states have done away with it entirely.