4th of July happenings and must dos?

Put it this way, if I lived in SoWal full time, I would pick July 4th (and Memorial Day and Labor Day) to take a brief vacation somewhere else.

As much as we all love the area, the major summer holidays are just too much.

I actually plan on taking your advice.

Put it this way, if I lived in SoWal full time, I would pick July 4th (and Memorial Day and Labor Day) to take a brief vacation somewhere else.

As much as we all love the area, the major summer holidays are just too much.

I don't know if this is still done, but people in NOLA used to leave town during Mardi Gras to get away from the drunk tourists. There was a school holiday, so the kiddies didn't miss any school. Tulane even canceled classes the Friday before Mad Grass thru the Wednesday after it (hangover recuperation day).

The best thing is to try to find a less crowded stretch of beach, take a picnic out around sunset, and watch the fireworks up and down the coast. You will be able to see the fireworks going of in Panama City, Panama City Beach, Seaside, Grayton, Sandestin, Destin, and tiny glimmers of Fort Walton's. It's so wonderful -- and if you have little kids it good to have the distance, they don't get freaked out by the noise.

Or the BIG drunk guy that passed out (more like fell like a TREE) last year right at the end of the walkway at Grayton's access... just feet from my kids & godchild.... not far from his girlfriend who didn't even try to help him up & took about 45 minutes to admit she was with him.:scratch: That & the fact that people started shooting fireworks across the lake at each other.... your advice is well taken from this mama this time around.

It is beautiful to see the fireworks up & down the beach.

After spending the majority of my July 4th nights on Grayton Beach, 2006 was my last - picture me nine months pregnant holding my 10 year old son's hand trying to run to the shore dodging roman candles.
Last year, I went against my usual sensibilities and spent the 4th in the Village of Baytowne Wharf and loved it. Not too busy but full of families, beautiful fireworks display, good music, and didn't fear that I or a family member might lose a digit, appendage or life!

Does anyone remember the truck that actually caught fire last year at the Grayton Beach access? I just remembered that.

Sorry I passed out , I'll try and not let that happen this year.:funn::rofl:

Put it this way, if I lived in SoWal full time, I would pick July 4th (and Memorial Day and Labor Day) to take a brief vacation somewhere else.

As much as we all love the area, the major summer holidays are just too much.

I wouldn't think of going to the beach on July 4th either. If I feel like getting up early, I'll go do the Valparaiso Duathlon (5K run, 200M swim) and then we spend the rest of the day hunkered down north of the bridge.

Sorry I passed out , I'll try and not let that happen this year.:funn::rofl:

So that was you..... is that where the back problems started? JK, he was 3x your size & his gfriend wasn't as kind as Mrs. GRS.

After spending the majority of my July 4th nights on Grayton Beach, 2006 was my last - picture me nine months pregnant holding my 10 year old son's hand trying to run to the shore dodging roman candles.
Last year, I went against my usual sensibilities and spent the 4th in the Village of Baytowne Wharf and loved it. Not too busy but full of families, beautiful fireworks display, good music, and didn't fear that I or a family member might lose a digit, appendage or life!

I learned the hard way with an 11 month old, a 3 year old & a 5 year old. Maybe that's why little Rowan took longer to arrive! The 4th scared the heck outta him!