July 4 is upon us in another week. 

What a delightful time of year to take that break and spend with your family.  This is such a history-filled lesson time as well. 

Why do we have fireworks, picnics, parades, flags waving, and other patriotic ways of celebrating our freedoms? Simply, July 4, 1776 is the day that American colonists decided to declare themselves independent or “free” from Britain. 

July 4 is the day that America was born. 

We celebrate the truth that we are a free country that is not under the rule of another country. We celebrate in memory of those who have worked hard to protect our freedoms.

Your youngest children can understand the concept of what “free” is.

Point out the flag and what it means: 13 stripes represent the 13 colonies.

There is also color symbolism: red for blood, war and courage; blue for justice and freedom; and white for purity.

Also point out other patriotic symbols that are displayed on the Fourth of July.

There is nothing to compare when celebrating the holiday in Baldwin County. 

Where else can one celebrate the Fourth with fireworks reflecting off the waters of Mobile Bay? 

Our family likes to get out its folding chairs and blankets and go midway between Mobile, Daphne and Spanish Fort. We go to the USS Alabama park grounds and set up so we can take in a couple of fireworks displays front and back. For young children they can see the fireworks show from this point but the “booms” are not too loud for their ears. 

It’s neat to see families safely gathered along the Causeway watching the brilliant fireworks shows. 

Sitting up on the bluff at Fairhope safely behind the designated area is another way for families to enjoy a full night of July 4 family fun.

Another holiday adventure is to sit in the sand at Gulf Shores or Orange Beach and take in a good fireworks show being shot from a barge. 

When my son was growing up he would ask me, “Where are we going on vacation?” 

Being on a shoestring budget, I would explain to him that we are already in “vacation land” in Baldwin County and that we don’t have to drive far to go on our vacation.

The county roads in Baldwin truly reflect the “odes” of summer. From passing by acres of cornfields, cotton fields and vegetable gardens children can enjoy learning about our rich farmlands. 

When I moved to Baldwin 20 years ago I thought it was so unique that my classroom of children could go on a field trip to pick berries of all kinds: strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, etc. We have so many nice fruit and vegetable stands where children and families can enjoy the fresh tastes of summertime foods!  

Homemade ice cream is a fun delicious activity that a family can enjoy doing together.

Many of our local parks even have built-in grills where our families can enjoy a picnic. Include your children in helping you prepare and set up the picnic. Remember: your children need and love to have free play, so July 4 is a perfect time just “to kick back.”

Check in your local paper on the schedule of events for July 4 such as parades, fireworks shows, barbecues, etc.

(Editor’s note: For a listing of Fourth of July events in Baldwin, please see page 6A of the July 6-7 editions of the Daphne Bulletin, Fairhope Courier, Spanish Fort Sun or other Gulf Coast Newspapers publications.)

July 4 represents freedom, which is freedom to enjoy being with our friends, family and to remember the significance of the red, white and blue.

Be sure to share these truths with your children and families as you celebrate the Fourth. 

Also remember our troops.

Beth Pinyerd serves as children's’ director at Faith Family Fellowship.