Festive Fourth

Area residents are making plans with family and friends for the holiday weekend

By TRAVINA COLEMAN

It will be Independence Day soon, and most of us celebrate the most important holiday for our country by chasing someone with fireworks.

And it’s usually someone who doesn’t want to be chased.

The large exploding artillery shells and brilliant blasts of light that illuminate the night sky represent many of the values we hold close to us here in the United States.

And in Oklahoma — most specifically Cherokee County.

Grayson Caldwell, 23, of Tahlequah said he loves the Fourth of July because it’s one family gathering everyone is in a good mood.

“I don’t know if it’s the family or the mix of lighted potential ammunition,” he said. “But it’s something I make sure I don’t miss.”

According to a Press online poll, community members have a number of plans.

Only 36 percent of voters said they weren’t interested in any of the live shows going on, and 23 percent said they were more likely to catch a live band at a bar. Ten percent said they would catch both Downtown Country shows this weekend, and 8 percent said they were going to watch the Cherokee Heritage Center’s presentation of “Under the Cherokee Moon.”

For most of the folks here, they are just content to spend the free day off with friends and family, attending various barbecues and visiting the lakes over the three-day weekend.

Brandie Hanson and her daughter, Samantha, are going to Piney, for camping.

“We are leaving today,” Samantha said.

Brandie said the spot they plan on visiting is beautiful.

“It’s crystal clear,” she said. “You can see all the way to the bottom. It’s an awesome place.”

For Barbara Roeder and her two daughters, Autumn and Chelsea, they plan to spend the day together.

“Independence Day means a celebration of our country and our history,” the Tahlequah native said. “I don’t like fireworks, but we celebrate the meaning.”

Sara Jackson said she and her kids are spending the day at the lake.

“We might even stay the whole weekend,” she said. “But it’s always really packed.”

Jackson said they go despite the crowd, because that’s what she believes the holiday is about.

“Not only is it our independence, but it’s a day to spend with all of the people we share the privilege of being American with,” she said. “That’s my idea of true independence.”

And many agree with Jackson.

“Not enough people take the time to really appreciate what this holiday is about,” said Harold Climber of Woodall.

Climber, 62, said it seems like only when the nation is under attack, politically or divided by war, do people seem to come out and support the privilege of our independence.

“It’s a shame we don’t all pull together more often,” he said. “This is a great country we live in.”

Marla Hernandez said she thinks we do good representing and celebrating the holiday right now.

“It’s a great day to celebrate our independence,” she said.

Kelsey Heavener said she is just happy to spend the first holiday with her new in-laws.

“I just got married,” she said.

“So this is the first function we are hosting at our new home. I want everyone that comes to have a fantastic time.”

And many natives of the area will go where their bare feet scream for relief — the Illinois River.

“It gets hot on the fourth so we will go to the river,” Sandy Spradlin said.

“My kids and I do it every year. And we don’t care if it’s packed. Most of the lakes feel like bath water anyway.”