If you've never been to Provo on the Fourth of July you might not understand the intensity of celebration. Provo's Freedom Festival (actual name: America's Freedom Festival) is a whole entity unto itself. There is an advisory board boasting Donny Osmond, Steve Young, Stephen Covey and Orrin Hatch (apparently no women celebrities were interested?), a board of trustees with a president, an executive board and a paid administration and twenty-nine committee chairs. Baby contests, parades, softball tournaments, golf extravaganzas, colonial fests, freedom runs, freedom days arts and crafts fair, awards gala and on and on and on. PROVO IS SERIOUS.
I grew up thinking it really was America's FREEDOM FESTIVAL and that was how we got such big names like David Hasselhof and Mary Hart to host our Stadium of Fire concert with fireworks and performers like, well, the Osmonds and Wayne Newton.
Now I sort of see it as a mid-size town's effort to put together a glorified small town's celebration--an attempt at high brow beauty queens and carny rides. I know some people love it just as it is, with the corny cliches, I personally dream bigger for Provo. I wish all those 300,000 parade attendees could see what we've made of Provo on First Friday's Downtown--showcasing Provo as a birthplace for culture, art, music, food, dance and theater.
And yet, the one thing AMERICA'S FREEDOM FESTIVAL does with perfection is its Children's Parade. It's show-up-and-go affair, everyone is welcome, costumes are encouraged and it ends with Popsicles in the shade of the County Courthouse. Provo High and Timpview High bands serenade as you march down Center Street and good neighbors show up to wave from their seats in the shade. I love it so much I support it with an evangelical passion and my parcel of red, white and blue baby patriots.
So thank you AMERICA'S FREEDOM FESTIVAL for this morning.
Let the party begin.
16 comments:
Growing up I had the opportunity to attend Provo's Freedom Festival for several years. As an adult I make the trek from Los Angeles to Provo specifically for this event. I love every minute of it! From waking up at 5a to watch hot air balloons at rise with the sun and Mt. Timp as the backdrop to baking in the sun and standing hand over heart as our flag is paraded through town, then mind blowing, ear shattering fireworks at BYU Stadium. I promise you nothing is better than that.
Well my feet in the sand and fireworks over the ocean choreographed to patriotic themed music and my children nestled in my lap is a close second.
Enjoy every minute.
love how your pram (stroller to you guys?) looks like an armchair! too cute. Never seen anything like that in Australia. You have such style!!!
You have probably seen this but Provo really is #1!
http://www.abc4.com/content/news/state/story/Provo-tops-Forbes-list-of-best-places-for/BAdA6HdkYEqqyGRfg06d-g.cspx
When I was growing up, every summer we would visit my grandmother in a small southern Utah town. On the 4th, and on the 24th they always have a parade. I loved helping my mom make a float out of our car. My grandmother had a trunk of costumes that included civil war soldier costumes. One year I dressed up as Uncle Sam. lol That was such a huge part of my fourth of July! Our town here in California does parades too, but they somehow miss the charm of that little parade in that tiny little Utah town.
My goodness, how did your tiniest one get so big already? I had to keep looking at Ever and then the baby to make sure it wasn't Ever. Looks like a wonderful celebration and I always think that the 4th of July parades were made for children waving flags. Lovely!
I've been gone from Provo for two summers now and have fiercely missed doing the Children's parade with my kidlets. I really should plan my vacations back to Utah around it!
Love your dress :)
I was there for the Hoff. My sisters were in Stars and danced in the stadium of fire that year! I think I was 3 or 4. Love the Hoff.
Adorable pics. Love your stroller.
Our neighborhood has a parade ~ and it goes right by my house.... I love it :)
Where is your lovely red and white striped dress from? Do tell! Please. Pretty please. I need one of my very own.
Please tell us what brand your double stroller is! We need one soon, and I've been looking everywhere for one I like - your's looks perfect! :)
I love, love, love Provo's celebration with a passion. My favorite: the parade. I'm also a big fan of the balloon fest, the Freedom Run, the Hope of America (in April). Just wait til your little cuties spend months singing songs about V-O-T-E VOTE! and "Thank you Military!" No place better than Provo on the 4th.
Oh, I miss July in Utah County!!
I too liked the stroller and did a little independent sleuthing to find it is a Joovy Big Caboose.
Love your red dress!
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