A signatory of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams wrote in the summer of 1776 to his wife Abigail that he believed Independence Day “will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival … it ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more.”
With the exception of certain years since 1776 in which national emergencies were ongoing, including a couple of pandemics, celebration of the 4th of July has been a staple of American life.
After a scare, the Leland Chamber of Commerce will best hosting fireworks Wednesday night at Hancock Field. The chamber’s biggest fundraiser, the annual Food and Wine Festival, was canceled this year. This put the chamber in a bind as the lost revenue put the fireworks in jeopardy. However, a successful fundraising drive, a grassroots effort, raised the money to go on with the pyrotechnic show.
