Spirit of 1776 lives in local celebrations

The “oohs” and “ahhs” of a crowd watching fireworks on blankets and lawn chairs in the park brings people together of all generations, ideologies, and backgrounds. What can be more American than the crowd at a smalltown fireworks display?

If ever there was a time to come together in celebration of “one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all,” this is the year.

The nation’s fractured politics and partisan sniping is wearing on everyone.

What better antidote than a celebration of those principles and history that still hold us together?

And what better place than in the towns of our region, where that national landscape of differences can be put aside?

July 4th is the nation’s Independence Day, and in the towns and townships of this region, the celebratory traditions ranged from honoring veterans in parades to the competitions of 5K races and Little League. There are vintage train rides, barbecues, craft sales, pie-baking, hot air balloon displays — and always and everywhere, fireworks to cap off the night.

Even better was the shared experience.

The “oohs” and “ahhs” of a crowd watching fireworks on blankets and lawn chairs in the park brings people together of all generations, ideologies, and backgrounds. What can be more American than the crowd at a small-town fireworks display?

Let us also not forget that this region is in the shadow of the cradle of liberty.

The Declaration of Independence, penned and read aloud and signed in Philadelphia, reminds us that we have a special place in history to honor and uphold. Many of the area’s national historic sites from Valley Forge to Washington’s Crossing have special events planned.

But the biggest, loudest, most colorful parties were in the small towns here and across these United States.

This year’s local celebrations included a Soap Box Derby in Conshohocken; music and a food festival in Upper Merion; a Glenside celebration that stretches through Abington and Cheltenham with children’s programs and a parade; the 40th annual Good Neighbor Day at Kerr Park in Downingtown with 5K, 10K and 15K races; parade in Norristown; fireworks in Phoenixville; concert by the Allentown Band in Souderton; Red, White and Blue parade in Upper Salford, and the GoFourth! Festival in Pottstown.

This year marked a special celebration in Pottstown, as a grassroots community effort raised money to bring back the fireworks,

For 30 years, Pottstown hosted an ambitious celebration with three days of events that included concerts, a parade, festival in the park, hot air balloon rides and a fireworks display that attracted thousands from miles around.

The festivities were carried out year after year by volunteers and local fundraising, and as the volunteers retired and the fundraising dwindled, the festivities diminished. and the fireworks were canceled.

Last year, a small group of town residents got together to bring back the festival, appropriately renamed GoFourth!

Now in its second year, the GoFourth! festival raised more than $50,000 and announced that the fireworks are back.

The Pottstown event represents the type of community collaboration among service clubs, civic organizations, businesses and individuals that is the centerpiece of every one of the above-mentioned Independence Day celebrations.

The Rotary Club sponsors the parade; the Crossfit club organizes a workout event; a neighborhood group spearheads the fundraising; running enthusiasts put together a 5K.

These events in our region are the best of America — proved that our differences in thought and our lapses in behavior toward one another do not define us.