4th of July in England

This year I celebrated the 4th of July in England. I texted all my friends inviting them to celebrate with me at Sublime where we would have hot dogs, smores, and even fireworks. I got a few cheeky replies like “I don’t usually support rebellions,” or “Is there going to be tea?” Few days before the 4th I went and bought all the makings for hot dogs, though the best I could find was a Frankfurt, bit skinnier than our Jumbo, Oscar-Meyer Wienners. Smore’s were imported from the states thanks to Chris and Charrise, all I had to get here was marshmellows. You would not believe how hard that was. Hardly any shop had marshmellows and if they did, they were super small. Luckily I found the perfect ones at Wilko’s (the last place I would have expected to have them). I also bought a Spiderman Cupcake mix- it was perfect, came with red sprinkles and blue frosting.

I also bought poster paper and paint to create my own American flag and perhaps some other American decor. For the fireworks I went to this local shop and told them I needed some fireworks for tonight. They asked how big my garden was so they could show me the proper sized ones and I said that I don’t have a garden; was thinking of lighting them in the street or in Queen’s Square. They said if I did that I could get in trouble (figured that much myself). We chatted for a bit trying to figure out a solution, then the guy asked if I had access to the roof of the pub and I thought about it and there is a flat bit that you can get to from the bathroom window. He said so long as my friend owns the pub, that is his property and he can do whatever he wants on it, including lighting fireworks. Sweet! I bought some sparklers and a box of 16 fireworks that when lit, would shot up really quick *bam bam bam* and make a loud shriek as they went up, then a nice *BOOM*.

Back at Sublime I worked on my All-American posters with the help of Josie. We did an American flag, then I drew a pin-up girl holding an American flag, with the slogan “I want you” underneath. Little pun on the famous Uncle Sam poster. And we also did one of the Statue of Liberty, though when I painted the sky I wanted it to look like a nice sunset, instead It looked like the city was on fire  Once the posters were dry, Gag’s helped me hang them and decorate the corner with some streamers I bought, then I went upstairs and quickly baked the cupcakes. Downstairs ready to celebrate with me was Ben, Josie and her boyfriend John, Gags, and then Dan, Dave and Sue joined in as well. Before I fed them I made Alex and Dutchy hot dogs and smores since they had to work and couldn’t join in. Everyone loved the hotdogs, and I bought sauerkraut which no one had ever seen or eaten, but they all liked it, especially John, he was eating it straight from the jar!

Time flew by and before I knew it, it was about 10:30pm- firework time (you have to set them off before 11pm). I got Nick to be the one to go on the roof and light the fuse, while the rest of us went out onto the street and lit our sparklers. We waited and just as our sparklers faded away, SHHHHRRRRRIIIIIIIII- BOOM!! Everyone thought the fireworks were quite good, I mean it wasn’t a big production or anything, just a symbolic gesture. Ben was awesome as the end he started chanting U-S-A, U-S-A! Silly Ausie. Back inside we had a few more drinks and chatted away, then slowly people started heading home. I was so happy those who came did, and that they had a good time celebrating with me, especially since none of them were American. Quite interesting was how many of them did not really know what the 4th of July was all about. Next year we’ll have an even bigger celebration and more fireworks!