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There’s no time like summertime for rural Americans. The Heartland, with patriotism in the blood, takes the Fourth of July holiday seriously, too. If it’s been too long since your high school history class, keep in mind the holiday we reference as “Independence Day” commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress, which separated the 13 colonies from British rule.
Just for the sake of trivia, the legal separation itself occurred on July 2, but its final wording wasn’t officially approved until two days later.
Founding Father and future President of the United States John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, “The second day of July 1776 will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. 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.”
Well, almost. But by unique coincidence, both presidents Thomas Jefferson and Adams, happened to die on the same day, July 4, 1826, which marked the 50th anniversary of the nation’s birth. In 1870, the U.S. Congress made Independence Day an unpaid federal holiday for government employees, and in 1938 it became a paid federal holiday.
In years like 2025, when the holiday happens to be on a Friday, you can expect a whole weekend of celebrations to mark the birthday of our nation.
Below is a countdown of five traditions you can expect to see throughout the Heartland:
5. Parades
A regular feature of small towns across the country, the oldest continual celebration happens to be the Bristol, Rhode Island, Fourth of July Parade. Held every year since 1785, the celebration features everything from cultural days to corn-hole tournaments.
One of the largest events in rural America may well be the annual event in Seward, Nebraska. Hosted since 1868 on the same town square, the small town of 6,000 swells to 40,000-plus every Fourth of July.
And while it’s true that big cities have parades too, there’s just something different about a small town parade that goes by your own house — a parade full of floats made by local high school students, and the hometown members of the VFW and American Legion leading the honor guard.
4. Patriotic concerts
From the pipes and drums to guitars and pianos, patriotic music spans the nation on Fourth of July. Do expect to hear “The Star Spangled Banner” more than once this holiday weekend.
It’s certainly not just the big cities — community bands all around the country will host concerts in the park, as well as a few homemade concerts in people’s backyards with local bands.
3. Swimming parties
Swimming parties are one of the coolest ways to celebrate the Fourth of July, offering a refreshing escape from the summer heat. Gathering friends and family around a pool or at a lakeside spot creates the perfect backdrop for patriotic fun. From vibrant red, white, and blue decorations to the radio blaring out some Toby Keith songs, these gatherings embody the spirit of summer freedom and community.
As the sun sets, the water provides a cool vantage point for enjoying fireworks, making swimming parties a memorable and quintessentially American way to commemorate Independence Day.
Where this becomes so different in rural America is the number of farm ponds which play host to the swimming parties. Not limited to pools, rural Americans will certainly be found down at the pond this year, coolers in tow.
2. Picnics
Is it even Fourth of July without potato salad and corn on the cob? Growing up on a small Hoosier farm in the 1980s and ’90s, I well remember the old saying “Knee high by the Fourth of July” in reference to corn stalks. But that never stopped us from having corn on the cob at our picnics.
Family traditions may vary a bit, but if you go to a Fourth of July picnic, you’re likely to see hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, macaroni salad, apple pie, and strawberry shortcake.
1. Fireworks
And the No. 1 Fourth of July tradition is (of course!) the fireworks. In reference to the national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner,” fireworks are a tradition that hail the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. Written by Francis Scott Key, the lyrics are tell the story: “And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there.”
Depending on your own state laws, fireworks may be available for purchase and use at home. One of the great things about living in rural America is just how free landowners are to shoot off the firecrackers on their own. But even if they’re not, there’s sure to be a fireworks display somewhere in your town, advertised well in advance.
American pride
When you put all these together, you get one great weekend. And that’s typically what most people do of course — head to a parade in the morning followed by an afternoon of picnics and swimming, and then a concert in the park full of fireworks.
And so, two and a half centuries later, Adams’ vision proved true. Although not on the Second of July, but rather the Fourth, we are indeed a nation full of pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations. And nowhere is that as prominent as in the small towns throughout the land.
Brian Boyce is an award-winning writer living on a farm in west-central Indiana.
