Carpe Quattro! (What to Do This Fourth of July)

What’s going on in your neck of the woods on July 4th?  Check out the news for some of these National Parks and Historic Sites!

Mammoth Cave National Park, KY
July 4, 2008: Homecoming: Before Mammoth Cave National Park opened in 1941; its lands supported 600 farms and 30 small communities. Following creation of the park, “Going to the Fourth” was the common phrase that brought the scattered neighbors back together for a homecoming celebration on July 4th. The event dwindled in the 1970s, but is revived this year for what will become an annual event.

Fort Scott National Historic Site, KS 
July 4-5: Military Holiday
Celebrate Independence Day 1840’s style with games and cannon firing on Friday. The festivities continue Saturday with Civil War baseball and period dancing.

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site, KY
On July 4, 2008 a musical tribute to Abraham Lincoln with period and patriot songs at will take place at 5:00 p.m. at the Memorial Building.

Thomas Stone National Historic Site, MD
Thomas Stone was a signer of the Declaration of Independence so July 4 th, 2008 is a special event. This year, a year-long series of events commemorating this county’s 350th anniversary will take place. The event on the 4th, entitled “Charles County; Player Through Time” will offer a look at individuals and groups that made significant contributions towards developing this county, this state, and this nation and will feature representation by Native Americans, African-Americans and the European settlers in this area. Activities include historic toys demonstrations, horse and buggy shuttles between activities and a moving reading of the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Stone’s uncle, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer. The free event will be held from 10am until 2pm at the Thomas Stone National Historic Site in Port Tobacco, Maryland.

Morristown National Historical Park, NJ
Friday, July 4th – Free Independence Day Events
Washington’s Headquarters, 30 Washington Place, Morristown, NJ
Program begins at 2:00 p.m.

A short rededication program will be held in front of the newly renovated Washington’s Headquarters Museum and will be followed by a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Both the Museum and the adjacent Ford Mansion will be open for self-guiding tours from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visitors are asked to bring blankets or folding chairs for the outdoor events.

Saratoga National Historical Park, NY
On July 4, 2008, America’s birthday will be celebrated during the 5th Annual Citizenship Ceremony on lands where freedom was earned. Lemonade toasts to the 13 colonies and cannon firings will delight the new citizens and hundreds of visitors.

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, NY
July 4, 2008: Independence Day Celebration with a program that includes the Rough Rider Re-enactors of the Nassau Suffolk Horsemen’s Association, the Sagamore Hill Band, and James Foote portraying Theodore Roosevelt.

Moores Creek National Battlefield, NC
July 4th Weekend at Moores Creek, July 4-6, 2008.
Celebrate Independence at Moores Creek National Battlefield. The park will offer living history demonstrations and guided tours of the battlefield. The American victory here in February, 1776 convinced North Carolina leaders to instruct their delegates at the Continental Congress to vote for Independence. Enjoy blacksmithing, musket firing, and more. The event is free and lasts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Park hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, OH
Independence Day, July 4, 2008 – New Citizen Naturalization Ceremony at 11:00 am on the Visitor Center steps. A formalized ceremony for 20-25 new citizens, attended by local civic leaders, judges and special guests.

William Howard Taft National Historic Site, OH
The park will host a free concert by the Last Boppers on Friday July 4th from 1:00 to 4 p.m. This phenomenal band combines improvisational jazz with ethnic sounds. By combining improvisational jazz, traditional ethnic sounds, spoken word and visual art, the Neo-Ancestralists are a truly unique force in local music. Visitors will also be treated to free ice cream.

Cowpens National Battlefield, SC
Cowpens National Battlefield will celebrate our nation’s independence on Saturday, July 5, 2008. This 16th annual FREE event is a traditional visitor and local favorite. The day will begin with the regularly-scheduled guided battlefield walk at 9:30 a.m. and end with fireworks behind the Visitor Center around 9:15 p.m.

In the afternoon reenactors will set up a soldier’s camp and give musket and rifle firing demonstrations. Between 7:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., the Spartanburg Community Band will play patriotic music. In the evening, visiting children can participate in special family activities and 18 th century games. The fireworks will begin around 9:00 p.m.

Bring a picnic and enjoy the evening with your family and friends. In the event of inclement weather, only the fireworks will be rescheduled for Sunday, July 6, 2008.

Chamizal National Memorial, TX
The 4th of July Music Extravaganza and Independence Day Celebration/Fireworks Display (in partnership with the City of El Paso and the El Paso Symphony Orchestra) will be held on July 4, 2008.

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, DC 
Want To Learn How to Grow Aquatic Plants? A ranger will demonstrate how it’s possible to grow aquatic plants in a small yard or shady spot without a pond. The program, for ages 9 and up, will take place on Friday, July 4 at 1:00 p.m.

National Mall & Memorial Parks, DC
America’s 2008 Independence Day Parade, 11:45 a.m., Friday, July 4, 2008 between 7th to 17th Streets on Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC. The parade celebrates the 232nd birthday of the United States of America traveling down Constitution Ave, from 7th to 17th Streets. More than 3000 performers, dancers, cultural organizations, giant balloons, floats, and military personnel from thirteen States will march down Constitution Avenue. The parade is estimated to last approximately 2 hours. The parade is free and open to the public.

Independence Day Celebration, Friday, July 4, 2008 on the National Mall, Washington, DC. The day promises to be exciting and fun-filled! Musical and interpretive performances on the Washington Monument Grounds and the Capitol Concert at the West Lawn of the Capitol Grounds. The day concludes with the traditional NPS fireworks beginning at 9:10 p.m.