The Fourth of July is truly an American Holiday. In 2015, the United States is celebrating its 239th birthday.
Independence Day is usually associated with fireworks, parades, backyard barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, political speeches and ceremonies.
Some in North Royalton will start their Fourth of July by attending a church service. Others will prepare for that barbecue or picnic with family or friends. Those gatherings usually turn into all day and all night affairs. And with the Fourth of July on a Saturday this year, expect that to happen.
Baseball has been a part of Fourth of July celebrations since the Major League was formed. Traditionally, July Fourth signifies the halfway mark of the baseball season. The Indians will spend July 3 and 4 in Pittsburgh playing the Pirates. The Akron RubberDucks will play at home at Canal Park on July 3 against Bowie at 7:05 p.m. The Lake County Captains will be at home on July 3 to play Lansing in a 7 p.m. game. Both Akron and Lake County will have fireworks following their games.
But, it seems that the way most North Royalton residents and Americans pay tribute to our founding fathers is by watching fireworks on the Fourth of July. Fireworks have been a part of Fourth of July celebrations since 1777. Depending upon your perspective, we have Congress to either blame or thank for fireworks on July 4th. Congress encouraged a fireworks display on July 4, 1777 to remember the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
An American tradition was born.
Where we choose to watch a fireworks display, well that’s a different story. Although it’s against the law, somebody, somewhere in North Royalton will have a backyard fireworks display. If you want to see a professional display, on the Fourth of July, there are a number of neighboring communities that have scheduled fireworks. Lakewood has a display at Lakewood Park at 9:45 p.m. Solon’s Fireworks on the Fourth gets underway at dusk at Solon Community Park on SOM Center Road.
Strongsville’s Fireworks Display begins at 10 p.m. on July Fourth at the Foltz Athletic Fields. Berea’s display begins at 10 p.m. on the Fourth at Coe Lake. Bay Village’s display begins at 9:45 p.m. on July 4th at Cahoon Memorial Park. Westlake’s Fireworks is at dusk at Clague Park. Finally, Cleveland fireworks begins at dusk in the Flats where Lake Erie meets up with the Cuyahoga River. If that’s too far to drive and if you can wait to have a fireworks fix, North Royalton will have its own display on August 23 at the conclusion of the Community Festival celebration.