Let's take charge of our Independence day celebration as residents

Every year we rely on the generosity of the wealthy to put on our Independence day festivities. What if, instead, the city set up a way that the residents of Grand Rapids can have more of a say in the way events happen? An account could be set up for us to make donations to go towards our fireworks display? Let us, the residents, have more responsibility for our celebrations. I think it would enhance our festivities if we as residents participated in the planning, and as residents would be more pleased about the way our events happen.

A committee could be set up to organize everything; Donation collection, ordering supplies, securing locations, setting up the time for the fireworks display and other festivities. This committee could be in charge of taking ideas from residents and implementing them into our activities. We could have the opportunity to vote on what activities we want, and what we do not want as part of our independence day celebration.

For me, Independence day is a personal holiday. I am proud to be an American citizen, and am grateful for my freedom. On july 4th, year after year, I celebrate my freedom and the freedom of all around me. I also celebrate hope for the less fortunate in our world. Independence day only exists in America because Americans before us were brave enough to stand up for what they believed was right and just. They stood up to ensure the freedoms of others to come after. I am reminded on Independence day that this can happen elsewhere too, that without hope, we would not be a free state.

Sitting, thinking about what Independence day means to me it occurred to me that as a resident,  I do not currently have the freedom to be a part of our 4th of July celebration planning. This year activities were changed and fireworks are no longer going to be displayed on Independence day unless it falls on a Saturday. The city is combining Celebration on the Grand, and 4th of July celebrations into one weekend, with free concerts and other festivities. http://fox17online.com/2014/02/13/grand-rapids-combines-4th-of-july-and-celebration-on-the-grand/. I think this celebration is a great idea to finish the weekend of our Independence week. Yes, I think we should have an entire week long celebration.

I also think we should still have a fireworks display on Independence day regardless of the day of the week it falls on. Funded by donations from the residents of Grand Rapids or anyone else who would like to donate, we could still celebrate on the day our country became Independent. Of course, permissions will need to be gotten, and a lot of organizing to be done. The first step is to get the word out and put together a committee of volunteers to get this ball rolling.

I was very upset this year when I found out that fireworks would not be flying through the sky in downtown Grand Rapids on July 4th. I immediately sought a place to go to celebrate on Independence day because this is important to me, I do not believe I am alone in this feeling. I do not want to have to travel to celebrate on July 4th, that does not feel like freedom. I want the freedom to celebrate from home on the day we became free. I think that to achieve this, a resident run, city supervised 4th of July display would work. As for the entire week celebration, donations and volunteers could also organize that as well. Companies are always looking for ways to promote themselves, what better way to do that than get on board with a resident run week long event. One idea I have is water balloon fights and slides for kids all week long. It does not even have to be in one place, it could be at parks all across the city.

Let’s get together and make our Independence celebration matter. We can all take part, and all benefit from the freedom of being a part of making our 4th of July week a week that truly exhibits and displays how free we are.