When I hear the word “July,” three things pop into my mind: the summer heat, the 4th of July, and Pioneer Day. Each one has its own depth and associated items and activities. If you grew up in Utah, there is a good chance that you have a similar view of July. The key to getting through the hot and the hectic moments is to find the fun. Follow me through this, if you will. . .
The summer heat can drive us into the house or movie theater – anywhere looking for the air conditioning. Many have figured out that when the summer sun comes out, it is cooler in the water. If you’re one who falls in this category, you may migrate to the pool or on the lake. To be honest, I’m not sure if the heat is driving them to the water or if the water is calling them out of the heat, but I know some people really love being in the water.
Others seek higher elevation. Being in the mountains is a pleasant respite, be it for the day or for a weekend get away. There are lots of beautiful places to visit in the mountains, and here in Utah, we have quite a few in our area with pleasant drives and small lakes and waterfalls to visit. Some like to hike, some bike, and some like to sit still and take it all in.
And believe it or not, there are those who live among us who enjoy baking in the heat. Many have motorcycles, ATVs and other off-road vehicles, and they take to inherently hot areas like sand dunes and heavily (sun)exposed rocky hillsides. If you see these people out and about, it’s easy to tell that this is where they want to be by how much fun they are having!
For all of us there is a place that is enjoyable when the summer heat arrives.
For me, it’s funny how “Fourth of July” seems to be used more than “Independence Day” in reference to the holiday we celebrate as the birthday of our nation. I often prefer to use the term Independence Day, as I spend the day at parades and with friends and family participating in the celebration of our country!
Like many of you, I’m sure, I enjoy the fireworks. Part of the attraction of fireworks is the element of danger. Make sure you’re not holding that firecracker when it goes “pop.’ Make sure you don’t let that sparkler burn your fingers, or your friends, or your friend’s fingers. There are also big fireworks! No, not the one that your neighbor does that rains hot cinders on all the surrounding cars and yards. I enjoy watching the carefully orchestrated events put on by the city or Stadium of Fire with its seasoned pyrotechnicians. These are the fireworks that draw an ‘Ooooo’ or an ‘Ahhhhhh’ from the audience. The Boom! The colors of light! The crackles of aerial sparklers! And they just keep appearing in the air like blooming flowers. It is truly a spectacular and exciting display of colors and patterns bursting in the night sky.
Every state has their state celebration, and in Utah’s is July 24th, also known as Pioneer Day. The town I grew up in had a fun run, then a parade. After the parade a commemoration program with the town royalty and an introduction of the Grand Marshall. After that, there are the fun and food booths at the park. Then in the late afternoon there was a hootenanny. They usually had a band with a singer who would sing and lead the audience in some crowd favorites. In the evening, the rodeo never disappointed. Since then, I have enjoyed demolition derbies, car shows and concerts. I even went to the Stadium of Fire once. With a small amount of detective work you can find the activities and celebrations that resonate with you.
Such is the month of July. I hope you find your fun in/from the sun, and join in the celebrations.
