More 4th of July Fun (Part 2)

Still looking for a way to celebrate Independence Day in All-American style this year? Gozaic presents a collection of events and activities that will make your Fourth of July explode with fun! From time-honored traditions to quirky celebrations, these festivities showcase patriotic fervor at its best!

Tudor Place, Washington, D.C.
Ice Cream Social
July 2, 2010
Celebrate Independence Day with America’s first family! Take a tour of one of America’s most historic houses – Tudor Place in Washington, D.C. Highlights of the tour include more than 150 George and Martha Washington artifacts. After the tour, enjoy one of George Washington’s favorite treats — ice cream! During the Fourth of July Ice Cream Social on July 2, 2010, visitors create ice cream sundaes in Tudor Place’s enchanting gardens. The family fun continues with children’s games and crafts.

Hot Springs, South Dakota
Fourth of July Celebration, Centennial Park and various locations
July 2-4, 2010
The excitement builds as the crowd of ticket holders waits for thousands of yellow rubber ducks to float down the Fall River to the finish line during the FireQuacker Duck Race on July 4 in Hot Springs, South Dakota. During the weekend-long Fourth of July Celebration, choose from a variety of activities, including the Kidney Springs Craft and Art Fair, the Hot Springs All-School Reunion and Street Dance at Centennial Park. On July 4, start your day with the annual road races at Chautauqua Park and downtown parade. Satisfy your appetite at the community BBQ at the Mueller Civic Center or take in the demolition derby, community concert and fireworks display.

Galveston, Texas
Fourth of July Festivities, Moody Gardens and downtown
July 2-4, 2010
Galveston, Texas will celebrate the Fourth of July in style with events held across the island, complete with fireworks each night of the holiday weekend and a traditional hometown parade and celebration throughout the streets of the historic downtown. Live musical performances will be held at Moody Gardens, including Bands on the Sand and Island Jam, featuring 2009 American Idol winner Kris Allen.

New Harmony, Indiana
Traditional Fourth of July Celebration, Visitors Center and Maclure Park
July 4, 2010
The Traditional Fourth of July Celebration in New Harmony, Indiana, harkens back to the almost 200 years of history of this remarkable town. Join community members and visitors for music and patriotic speeches at the Atheneum/Visitors Center beginning at 12:30 p.m. Continue the celebration with the Kiwanis Golf Cart Parade and a traditional community picnic featuring music, food, games, contests and free root beer in Maclure Park.

Poplar Forest, Forest, Viginia
Independence Day
July 4, 2010
Patriotism comes alive on July 4 at Thomas Jefferson's retreat home, Poplar Forest in Forest, Virginia. Enjoy living history, historic craft demonstrations (blacksmithing, pottery, flax breaking, basket weaving and more), period music, dance, and storytelling. Children and families will enjoy colonial games and pony rides. Don't miss Poplar Forest's signature event: a fife and drum parade followed by a reading of the Declaration of Independence from Jefferson's portico. As the author of the Declaration of Independence and third president, Jefferson's retreat is the ideal place to spend the Fourth of July. Event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, Vermont
Old Vermont 4th
July 4, 2010
At noon at Billings Farm & Museum’s Old Vermont 4th, the Declaration of Independence is read just like it was done in every small town in Vermont in the late 19th century. This patriotic celebration for every generation features the reading of the Declaration of Independence, historic men and women debates, making 1890 flags, spellings bees for adults and children, the egg toss, sack races, horse-drawn wagon rides and more.

Read about more July 4th activities from Gozaic in Part 1, Part 3 and Part 4 of our series.

Photos top to bottom: Tudor Place, courtesy of Tudor Place. Duck race courtesy of Hot Springs Area Chamber of Commerce. Fireworks in Galveston courtesy of Galveston CVB. Front portico at Poplar Forest courtesy of David Duncan. Fourth of July at Billings Farm & Museum courtesy of Billings Farm & Museum.