Here in the Boston area, we couldn’t wait to welcome July. The weather data for June varies somewhat, but no matter which way you look at it, we had 13 to 21 days of rain. That’s a lot of rain when one considers how short our summer season is.
Unfortunately, the first week in July gave us a bit of sun and rain. Some Fourth of July celebrations were canceled or postponed. We all know how important the celebrations and traditions are for this holiday. It is the birthday of the United States. The day it adopted the Declaration of Independence in1776. Declaring its independence from Great Britain. Long-standing traditions of parades, festivals, fireworks, barbecues, and other festive activities are planned annually.

Every year my husband and I and any guests we may be hosting attend two parades on the 4th. The first one at 8:00am in nearby Beverly Farms and later in the morning, the parade was in Manchester. When the alarm went off in the morning off, we looked at each other and at the raindrops pooling on the driveway we skipped the first parade.

Two hours later, with umbrellas in tow, we took our usual spot in front of the Sacred Heart Church. I am not sure if we go there because it is the beginning of the parade route or because of the hospitality the volunteers offer. Everyone in the church’s proximity is treated to a hot dog, potato chips, and a beverage. Nah, I think we would go there even if hot dogs were not on the menu at 10 and 11 o’clock in the morning.
Yes, it rained on our parade, but we stuck it out.

For information on the 4th and festivities in the Boston area click on the links following the photos.

A family watching the parade

https://www.rd.com/article/4th-of-july-history/

https://www.bu.edu/articles/2023/celebrate-the-fourth-of-july-weekend-in-boston/