Here's a local posting that will give you another view of Independence Day

I can't begin to count the number of people in the larger cities that have commented that they really wish there were a small town in which to celebrate the Fourth and not have to contend with the monster crowds of the big city. You can call me nostalgic, but in my mind I keep seeing a scene from the movie "Doc Hollywood," where Michael J. Fox is walking in the park during the small town's Squash Festival contemplating why he is in such a hurry to leave. There are strings of lights hanging between the trees and
children running like imps with sparklers dancing in their hands and laughter soaking the ground in their wake. There is the soft melody from a local band in the distance as fireflies add their own special ambiance to the scene as the mayor of the town hauntingly echoes, "Turn off the Interstate, Ben Stone."
This is our little piece of Americana. It is our chance to come together as a community and celebrate the freedoms that we take for granted that have cost our nation the lives of those so dedicated in the vision of our forefathers.

This is from out local paper The Hondo Anvil.

The writer just got his pyrotechnics license and is putting the show on for cost only. His feelings even makes my cynical self want to donate to the cause.