How will you celebrate?

It is hard to believe the 4th of July is already here! Across the nation there are excellent and often free opportunities to patriotically celebrate our nation's birthday! I thought it might be helpful to highlight some of the nation's top spots for celebrations and some places that one might overlook! Enjoy!

Down in Dixie: Oxford, MS.
Oxford is by far, hands down the best small town in America. Sorry if you disagree, but accept it because it is true. The celebration in Oxford is unlike any other. The festivities begin tonight on the square with a town dance. The square will be blocked off to traffic and the entire town is invited to bring law chairs, beverages (in a solo cup of course) food, friends, and fun to enjoy great music and brave dance moves. This is a wonderful way to start the 4th of July celebration and since most businesses are closed on Friday there is no pressure to get home early! Enjoy yourself; the 4th is like every Americans second birthday! On the actual 4th, there are so many opportunities to celebrate. In the morning there is a 5K run/walk followed by a town parade beginning on the Square at 10. Check the chamber of Commerce website http://www.oxfordms.com/ for more info. The celebration concludes with fireworks near the baseball field at 9pm! If you are interested in a celebration a little less family oriented and away from town, I would suggest attending Clay Terry's (pictured left with fellow "senator" Mr. Nick Keeling of Jackson) 4th of July Blowout. Mr. Terry lives with Ms. Claire Taylor and Mr. Andrew Ettherington and all have been preparing for a grand party! The celebration begins around 6pm, however Clay will be singing the national anthem in the grove at 6, so I would recommend watching Clay at 6 in the grove and then going to his house. Clay will provide some cookout goodies but he would greatly appreciate if attendees would bring a side dish and their own drink of choice.

Focus on the Family:

Although all of the above options for celebrating the 4th in Oxford will be amazing, I have decided to travel to Nashville and party with the family and high school friends. Brother Ben (pictured right) arrived in Music City last night by plane from Kansas City, MO. Since his arrival in Nashville, he has been on a strict workout regime of moving from the fridge to the couch and then back again. Taxing.
Proud parents Pete and Michelle are ecstatic to have Ben back at home but are quickly remembering why their food budget was more than the Ole Miss spends on the music department. As some of you may know, Ben enters into a seizure like meltdown if he does not consume food every ninety minutes. Oh, I hear your snickering, but I do not lie. Just ask any person remotely close to Ben Bottoms and they will quickly inform you of the odd and psychotic behavior Ben uses when kept from food. Not pretty.


Also making the trek to Music City is Ms. Meagan McCartney. Meagan was a fellow Bruin and is now an buyer at Macy's in San Francisco. She will be traveling with new boyfriend Travis and longtime college friend and roommate, Megan from Indiana (both Meagans pictured right). I am so excited to hang out with the always fashionable and fun McCartney and am sure that her friends will be equally as charming.

With all of this new and young blood in Nashville, what will meet their good-time demands? Oh lots. If one prefers a large crowd, they should go downtown to the riverfront for the big fireworks show. The festivities begin around 9pm and all of Nashville's finest are sure to attend the show. If one is looking for something a bit more low key, there are many other opportunities to celebrate with venues that cater to families. The Sounds stadium, Crockett Park, and Franklin High School all have big fireworks shows that are sure to be fun and loud but with less of a crowd. All venues are free except for the Sounds game, but tickets can be purchased reasonably. Visit this website for more info http://nashville.about.com/cs/familyactivities/a/nash4thjuly_2.htm

Almost every city has something exciting to do for the 4th, I hope you take advantage of your day off and celebrate! Happy 4th! Natalie-Corinne.