Published July 03, 2009 11:04 am - July 3, 2009
Festive Fourth
Area residents are making plans with family and friends for the holiday weekend
By TRAVINA COLEMAN
Press Staff Writer
It will be Independence Day soon, and most of us celebrate the most important holiday for our country by chasing someone with fireworks.
And it’s usually someone who doesn’t want to be chased.
The large exploding artillery shells and brilliant blasts of light that illuminate the night sky represent many of the values we hold close to us here in the United States.
And in Oklahoma — most specifically Cherokee County.
Grayson Caldwell, 23, of Tahlequah said he loves the Fourth of July because it’s one family gathering everyone is in a good mood.
“I don’t know if it’s the family or the mix of lighted potential ammunition,” he said. “But it’s something I make sure I don’t miss.”
According to a Press online poll, community members have a number of plans.
Only 36 percent of voters said they weren’t interested in any of the live shows going on, and 23 percent said they were more likely to catch a live band at a bar. Ten percent said they would catch both Downtown Country shows this weekend, and 8 percent said they were going to watch the Cherokee Heritage Center’s presentation of “Under the Cherokee Moon.”
For most of the folks here, they are just content to spend the free day off with friends and family, attending various barbecues and visiting the lakes over the three-day weekend.
Brandie Hanson and her daughter, Samantha, are going to Piney, for camping.
“We are leaving today,” Samantha said.
Brandie said the spot they plan on visiting is beautiful.
“It’s crystal clear,” she said. “You can see all the way to the bottom. It’s an awesome place.”
For Barbara Roeder and her two daughters, Autumn and Chelsea, they plan to spend the day together.