Let's see...the Christmas Season lasts roughly from Thanksgiving (officially) through New Years. Some will take it to January 6th - Epiphany / Three Kings Day - and a few will take it all the way until February 2nd - Candlemas, which often marks the true official end of the Christmas season.
Of course, even though Thanksgiving marks the official start of the season (buy! buy! buy!), signs and decorations are usually in stores as early as August and especially as September & October progresses.
As for Independence Day, I will see the red, white, & blue, and might even hear fireworks all summer long. And as we inch closer to the 4th of July, especially the weekend before, the weekend of, and the weekend following, the illuminations can be seen and heard almost nightly.
Generally, after Labor Day Weekend, it all ends.
There are many who don't seem to like the fireworks---I have to admit, as you shall see in this blog post, I love 'em! In fact, it was on the twilight time of the 4th of July, while the booming had begun, that this post was partly written. I took a break from from time to time, grabbed my camera, and headed out side to watch the glorious 4th!! Sadly, the mosquitos were ferocious so I didn't last long out side. But I got to see and hear enough~
Happy Independence Day!!
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As I try to do every year, I try to celebrate the 4th of July up right! I mean, it's my 2nd favorite holiday - only Christmas tops it. But it's a close 2nd. And, yes, I love all the booming fireworks!
For those who get their historical information from Facebook memes, they like to state that July 2nd actually is the real Independence Day, based on a letter John Adams excitedly sent to his wife (click HERE), I have absolute proof that you are wrong.
Look at the Declaration of Independence itself. The actual document. It gives you the date at the top:
In Congress, July 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,
When in the Course of human events...
So...don't bet against July 4 because you'll lose.
July 2nd, 1776 was the day that the Second
Continental Congress in Philadelphia passed the resolution for
independence from Britain with no opposing vote cast.
So why do we celebrate July 4th as Independence Day and not
July 2nd as John Adams noted in his letter?
We do so because the Declaration of Independence itself was
adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, making it
"official," hence, the date on the original printings
in 1776: July 4.
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| The program guide |
So now that that's out of the way, let's check out Salute to America 2025~~~~We've been going to this event off and on for a few decades and it really is a wonderfully patriotic event (for the most part). It, more or less, replaced the old Colonial Days reenactment, which...well...I don't see why they can't have both.
Oh well.
The evening we went to Salute to America this year was July 2nd (rather than July 3rd per our usual), which turned out to be a beautiful summer evening, though a tad on the warm and humid side. Clear skies and a very light wind - no complaints from us. In fact, it made having ice cream/custard, watermelon, and ice drinks that much better - very summer! We brought along three of our four kids - one could not make it this year - our daughter-in-law, our daughter's friend, and all five of our grandkids. As my wife commented: "I think this was the best one yet!"
Judging by the reactions, I don't think any of our group would disagree.
So, let's check out how Salute to America 2025 turned out:
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| Welcome to 300 years of history! |
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| Well, here's my wife and I looking very midwestern. We are sitting on the Village Green a-waiting for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (the DSO) to begin their performance. See the church there in the background on the left side? It holds a bell cast in the 1820s by Joseph Warren Revere, the son of Paul Revere, in its steeple. 'Twill be rung during the finale of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. |
The gates for this ticketed event opened at 5:00, so we have plenty of time to stroll around before the DSO hit the stage. Making my way around the Village, there was music through time to be heard.
Let's go in a sort of timeline order:
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| Back to the 18th century we go to hear fife & drum music as performed by the 1st Michigan Fife & Drum Corps. Top notch! They marched around the Village Green.
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| Here we have the duo Neil Woodward on fiddle, pennywhistle, guitar, and other period instruments, and Ranka Mulkern, who plays the hammered dulcimer. They play the old folk tunes from mostly the 19th century, but will touch a little on the 18th century as well. They are on the porch of the Eagle Tavern. |
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| Over in the Ford yard we hear fiddle tunes, mostly from the 19th century, as played by JJ. |
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| Next up is Taslimah Bay, playing the popular music from the 1890s and 1910s: Ragtime! The Entertainer, Solace, Maple Leaf Rag... |
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| The Reverend Robert Jones gave us a lesson in early blues from the 1910s and its connection to music up through today. His audience held on to his every word. |
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| Directly across the way from Mr. Jones was a group of singers who were planted firmly in the 1950s pop sounds. |
There was also another group who did music from the 1960s and 70s, but I didn't catch them.
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| Now, if you are in your 40s or 50s on up, you will probably have this memory back in the recesses of your mind: the ice cream man...or the Good Humor Man. Yes, they had a woman selling it here at Greenfield Village, but back in the day it would have been a man, at least that's the way it was for me growing up. |
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| The Bicentennial representation! Welcome to the Spirit of '76---1976! Yep---more fond memories for me! |
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| Our five grandkids enjoying cotton candy. We also had watermelon, too! A perfect summer evening - the only thing missing was a bonfire~ |
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| Time for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra - I would put them against any other orchestra in the country! "O! Say can you see..." Yes, everyone respectfully stood, removed any hats, and/or placed their right hands over their hearts. "O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave~~~" I love our national pride! |
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| They also paid homage to five branches of the US military and to those in the audience who served in them - a very touching moment! |
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| ~America the Beautiful~ The DSO did such a wonderful job in their performance. |
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| Amber waves of grain in the front field at Firestone Farm at Greenfield Village. The gray building across the way is the gristmill. A week later, this was harvested - summer harvest time. |
Man! Was I sweating from huffing it!
But---wait---I hear bells - the bell cast by the son of Paul Revere that is now in the Martha-Mary Chapel steeple! There go the cannons!
I was ready~~~~~then...
And then from there...
In part of her description of what it was like to hear the Declaration for the first time back in 1776 and how the people reacted afterward, Abigail Adams noted that "every face appeared joyfull" --- but she could have been describing Mill Race Village on July 4th 2025, for every face truly did appear to be filled with joy! Constant smiles and "Happy 4th" greetings seemed to be on everyone's lips.
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| I caught the first large illumination! I fixed my camera to where the Daggett chimney was somewhat centered to see the silhouette of the house. |
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| Man! How bright! My camera, at times, seems to capture the lighting in different ways. Here, for instance, it grabbed a bit of the backlighting to lighten the house a bit more. |
Just in case you were not aware, this Daggett House was built in the early 1750s in Connecticut.
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| I'm so glad I did this! I have not seen any other photos like this. Someone commented that it looks like the explosion is bursting out of the chimney! |
I ended up taking close to 70 photos from this area, though not all turned out. Most did, of which I am very happy about. Then it was time to head back to where my family was, so, as I huffed it to the Village Green, I captured a few fireworks on the way:
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| Here's one I snapped that blew off over the Cotswold Cottage. Kinda ironic to think this cottage, which was built in 1620 in England, was still over there in King George III's country during the original Independence Day, and now, here it is, part of America's celebration of our Declaration of Independence from that country! |
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| Passed by the gazebo... Though gazebos have been around since ancient Egypt, they seem to have a strong footing as an American icon. |
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| From the side of the Sarah Jordan Boarding House - one of the very first houses in history to have been lit with Edison's incandescent light, which is still in prominent use today all over the world. |
Then I made it back to the Village Green in time to watch the Grand Finale with my family:
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| My grandson commented that this was his favorite part. |
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| I think I agree with him. The best fireworks display in metro-Detroit~~ |
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| They just kept on shooting them off - it was awesome! |
Then there's historic Mill Race Village in Northville.
Every year, beginning in 2017, a few of us have been welcomed with open arms at Historic Mill Race Village to help celebrate Independence Day---on the 4th of July itself!
Only during the covid scare of 2020 were we not there.
But this is the place to be for the "spirit of '76"!
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| Here is the "official" flyer for 2025 |
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| 'Twas a festive place to be to celebrate our Independence! |
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| The street of historic America flags. I suppose some would call me a vexillologist, but I don't actually study flags, though I do basic research on them. However, I've quite a collection building up. And I received numerous compliments about this set up here along the road. I am very proud of this. |
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| My friends, and they are my friends! |
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| I like the summery look and feel of this photo. |
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| Ken, here, has a fractured elbow, but he desparately wanted to come out. He wisely decided not to bring his musket. However, he did have his arm in a sling. Not some modern thing but a bonafide 18th century-looking sling. |
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| Barb is a member of the Ste. Claire Voyageurs, as is Mark, who is also a member of the Citizens of the American Colonies. I am so glad they come out and are a part of our event here at Mill Race! |
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| Horik brought along some furs (including deer hide) as part of his impression, and he mentioned to me how the youngster visitors enjoyed petting them. |
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While not portraying Betsy Ross, Charlotte did teach how to snip paper just right to create the style of stars used in the canton of these early American flags, and she taught visitors how to do the same. Charlotte called it "the 'one snip' star making craft." |
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| Does the spyglass show the future? |
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| It was like being in the company of the founding generation! |
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| Members of the 2nd South Carolina~ |
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| Matthew set up a great display of colonial/RevWar artifacts |
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| Throughout the day he was busy explaining his collection to interested visitors. |
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| Tom portrayed Dr. Benjamin Rush |
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| 4th of July at Mill Race Village |
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| Members of the 1st Pennsylvania guard the fire hydrant (lol) |
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| A fine uniform display - both Continental and Regulars. |
Right around 11:30 came time for the main event:
a special combination scenario and vignette centering on the Declaration of Independence.
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| I will usually begin this by speaking on the causes that lead up to the Revolution, and how the idea of independence came about. Just a basic overview...not a detailed lecture. |
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| Ya gotta have a big mouth to reach all of the visitors! |
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| Included in this is Abigail Adams reading her thoughts on the Declaration, which comes directly from a letter she wrote to her husband, John. She does a marvelous job. |
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| I won't say Abby has a big mouth, but she can speak loudly! Loud enough for everyone to hear~~~ |
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| Then comes Ben Franklin to read the Declaration of Independence, for he was one of the Committee of Five to help write it! |
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| As you can see, we had quite a large gathering of people. And I truly love the interest shown. |
And then once the reading is completedL
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| Three cheers for Benjamin Franklin! Three cheers for General Washington!! Three cheers for the new United States of America!!! |
We then reenact what occurred in those places back in 1776 where the Declaration was first read:
muskets were fired...
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| Back in 1776 the crack of the musket continued throughout the day and well into the night. |
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| And a group image of our militia and military men |
...and bells were rung, also well into the night!
Well...not here at Mill Race, but they certainly were back in 1776~
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| Christy had the school bell, while... |
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| ...Vince had the church bell. |
My heartfelt thanks to all who participated in this!
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| Our group picture~ A gigantic THANK YOU to all who came out and participated in our 4th of July at Mill Race Village. Not everyone made it into this picture, but I so very much appreciate everyone who did come out! And next year we have the 250th!! |
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| God Bless the new United States of America!! |
A few of us went out to eat at the local Red Robin afterward.
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| It is a tradition to grab a bite to eat after the event is over. Part of the fun is the reaction we get from staff and customers. |
I asked him for something caffeine free, and he offered up a lemon tea they had with no caffeine. I told him I only like my tea in the harbor (lol).
Perhaps next year I'll walk along my street while wearing my colonial clothing as folks are celebrating.
On July 5th, Ben Franklin and I (as Paul Revere) were asked to speak at a special Independence Day church picnic out in Davison, Michigan. Yep, it was hot and muggy once again, but we did it. It went very well, though I think it would have been better had we spoken before the band played, for they performed (mostly) 1980s and 1990s rock (Pearl Jam, Tom Petty, Pat Benatar, etc), and then here comes a couple of guys from the past who are talking history.
On the evening of July 4th, I usually hang around my house to watch all of the fireworks going off all over our small city of Eastpointe. Sadly, the mosquitos were vicious on this hot and humid night, so I did not get too many photos as I normally do.
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| My house with a couple of buntings, the Betsy Ross flag, and our current American flag. |
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| Here is my newest bunting. |
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| If you look to the lower center you can see a few sparkles from fireworks in the distance, behind the flag and trees. |
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| "There's a moon in the sky called the moon" sang the B-52s back in 1979! |
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When we think about the birth of this great nation, Congress declared July the 4th 1776 and issued a proclamation. With this decree, the thirteen colonies are now free. We will no longer live under England's Monarchy. |
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Five great men were given the task to draw up papers for freedom at last. Thomas Jefferson, we can remember. A founding father, Patriot and a Continental member. |
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Together these men drafted the amendments. Franklin, Livingstone, Sherman, and Adams, united they authored the Declarations of Independence. Battles were fought, and blood was shed. Life was lost, and men were dead. |
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"FREEDOM" came with a heavy price. War is not pretty, nor is it nice. We can thank the Lord above. He gave us these United States, a country we can love. |
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Men fought for our freedom, and with their lives they did pay. That's why we celebrate Independence Day. |
The above poem, "Independence Day," came from Debra L. Brown - June 26, 2019. https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/independence-day-2
On July 5th, Ben Franklin and I (as Paul Revere) were asked to speak at a special Independence Day church picnic out in Davison, Michigan. Yep, it was hot and muggy once again, but we did it. It went very well, though I think it would have been better had we spoken before the band played, for they performed (mostly) 1980s and 1990s rock (Pearl Jam, Tom Petty, Pat Benatar, etc), and then here comes a couple of guys from the past who are talking history.
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| Even though I have a loud voice, the stage was set up quite a ways from where the people sat, so I used a microphone. Using a mic as Paul Revere is not my style but in this case, due to the amount of people there and the distance between us, I suppose it was best to use it. |
Being that I am used to using microphones because of my performances with Simply Dickens, I had little trouble.
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| We did the same presentation we did a day before at Mill Race Village. |
though there was a rock band there, it was Ben & I who the people wanted their pictures taken with (truth!!)! lol
Now for some fun Declaration of Independence history:
"The Bells rang the privateers fired the forts and Batteries, the cannon were discharged the platoons followed and every face appeared joyfull. After dinner the kings arms were taken down from the State House and every vestage of him from every place in which it appeared and burnt in king street. Thus ends royall Authority in this state, and all the people shall say Amen." - Abigail Adams.
Now for some fun Declaration of Independence history:
Abigail Adams first heard the Declaration of Independence read aloud in Boston, from the balcony of the State House (now the Old State House). The reading was performed by Colonel Thomas Crafts on July 18, 1776.
And she wrote her husband, John, about the event.
"Last Thursday after hearing a very good sermon I went with the Multitude into Kings Street to hear the proclamation for independence read and proclaimed. Some Field pieces with the Train were brought there. When Col Crafts read from the Belcona of the State House the Proclamation, great attention was given to every word. As soon as he ended, the cry from the Belcona, was God save our American States and then 3 cheers which rended the air."
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| Here is the very same "belcona" (balcony) that Abigail Adams heard the Declaration of Independence read to Boston citizens for the very first time on July 18, 1776. Yep, I snapped this picture while visiting Boston in May of 2025! |
Amen.
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| Our own interpreter Abigail Adams reads aloud the above letter she wrote to her husband, John. Abby, here (who's name is really Abby), is very close to the same age as Mrs. Adams was in 1776! |
This was a glorious 4th of July week. Having my family ro Greenfield Village's Salute to America, enjoying the Mill Race Village celebration and having numerous visitors thanked us for being at Mill Race Village and also made sure to let us know that they loved our nation's history, the illuminations in my own neighborhood, then the church picnic speeches...glorious indeed.
And then there's this guy who is preparing to celebrate our nation's 250th!
Until next time, see you in time!
Many many thanks to the following for allowing me to use their photos with my own in today's post:
Lynn Anderson
Lynn Anderson
Barb Baldinger
Norm Gerring
Christy Haradean
Bob Jacobs
Chris White - Detroit Metro Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution
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