BOSTON (AP) – Revelers across the United States braved the heat and heavy rain Tuesday to participate in Fourth of July activities – parades, fireworks and hot dogs at a time of political division and concerns about the nation’s future. Celebrated the founding of the country with eating competitions. ,
In Boston, people dodged raindrops to occupy a coveted spot on the grassy oval in front of the Hatch Shell along the Charles River ahead of the traditional Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular. Lakhs of party-goers usually line both sides of the river for the spectacular fireworks display that follows a concert.
In another long-standing celebration, fans of competitive eating turn out to watch Nathan’s famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest held in the Coney Island section of New York City.
Events in several states were affected by the weather.
The 10-kilometer Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race, which usually attracts thousands of runners during humid summer weather, was cut short because of a potential storm.
Read more: Joey Chestnut defends title at Nathan’s Fourth of July Hot Dog Contest despite rain delay
To the north, storms were expected from the Dakotas and Minnesota south to Kansas and Missouri, endangering cookouts and fireworks shows. Hail the size of ping pong balls were reported in southeastern South Dakota.
A fireworks show in Yankton, South Dakota, was postponed until Wednesday night after lightning prevented crews from performing. In Nebraska, the Omaha Symphony’s Independence Day celebration, which included a concert and fireworks show, was also postponed until Wednesday night.
New Orleans residents welcomed rain and slightly cooler conditions after several days of heat and humidity in the city. General Roy S. The Kelly fireboat was returning to the New Orleans riverfront for a patriotic water show, blowing streams of red, white and blue water into the air.
While the holiday highlights how Americans carry different ideas of patriotism, many embrace the holiday with enthusiasm and a sense of community.
Read more: 1 woman killed, 9 others injured in fireworks explosion in western Michigan
In Mark Twain’s hometown of Hannibal, Missouri, the Fourth of July weekend coincides with National Tom Sawyer Day. Fence-painting and frog-jumping competitions were held.
Altoona, Iowa named its celebration “Carnival”. In addition to America’s birthday, the celebration marks the 100th anniversary of the first acres of commercial hybrid seed corn grown and harvested in Altoona in 1923. Twenty-six foot tall fiberglass corn cob sculptures decorated by local artists were being unveiled. And later it will be placed around a city with 21,000 inhabitants.
And the east Tennessee city of Gatlinburg held its annual Independence Day midnight parade early Tuesday. News outlets reported that George Hawkins, who produced the parade, died on Saturday.
Moving ceremonies were a feature of many celebrations.
In Lexington, Kentucky, nearly 2,000 people marched in the city’s downtown, with Stephanie Thurman telling WKYT-TV that the race was on her bucket list. “I started these races here in 2019; I turned 50 years old. It was one of the things on my bucket list, so I did it, and since then, I’ve been bitten by the bug.
There have also been some accidents with fireworks.
A woman was killed and nine other people were injured ranging from serious to minor in a fireworks explosion in western Michigan on Monday, the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department said.
Also on Monday, a fire sparked by improperly discarded fireworks in a trash can destroyed two homes in the city of Parker, southeast of Denver, according to fire department officials.
Some cities were eschewing fireworks displays for the show, in which drones equipped with lights were coded to create giant, moving figures in the sky. Lake Tahoe, California, Salt Lake City and Boulder as well as a few other Colorado towns have opted for aerial glasses that can display a giant American flag and the year 1776 in red, white and blue. Avoiding explosive fireworks limits the risk of fires in states that have already been devastated by large-scale fires.
Highland Park, a Chicago suburb where at least seven people were killed in a shooting at a Fourth of July parade, also hosted a drone show to avoid the startling noise of fireworks.
Gun violence also somewhat marred the celebratory atmosphere, as shootings killed five people in Philadelphia and three in Texas.