When my kids
were growing up years ago, the subdivision we lived in had a Fourth of July
parade each year. I remember my kids marching, and one year we wore our
Bicentennial costumes with a red-white-and-blue USA print. A community picnic
followed the parades.
These are the
traditions the nation loves.
Seven in 10 Americans plan to celebrate this
year by attending a barbeque, cookout, or picnic. That’s more than 164 million
people, a record in that category, according to a survey by the National Retail
Federation.
Fireworks and July Fourth community events
also are popular: 117 people million will view the nearest community fireworks and
another 38 million will attend a parade.
July Fourth decorations? The survey found 142 million own a flag, and
nearly half own patriotic apparel such as a t-shirt or hat. However, one in
four will buy patriotic items for the holiday.
On travel, about 40.8 million Americans will
travel 50 miles or more from home during the July Fourth holiday, a 0.8 percent
decrease from the 41.1 million people who traveled last year, AAA Travel said.
The drop is largely due to a one-day shorter
holiday period, the travel organization said, adding lack of economic growth also
is a factor.
Eighty-four percent of
travelers will travel by automobile, while about 14 percent will fly.
Americans will travel about 613 miles during
the holiday, 110 miles less than last year’s average of 723 miles.
Consumers will spend about $747 on the
holiday, compared to $749 last year, AAA Travel said. About 29 cents of every
dollar will be spent on transportation, 20 percent on food and beverages, and
22 percent on lodging.
I hope you’ll be enjoying many of these July
Fourth traditions as you celebrate with family and friends on this fun and
patriotic holiday.
