As is true for all holidays, the Fourth of July is a date that we all look forward to with much anticipation. Fireworks, picnics, camping trips, water skiing trips, and the possibilities are endless. But somehow traditions get established, evolve, and morph. Since I met Connie in 1987 (married in '93)the day at the park has become my tradition which had already become her family's yearly tradition. The park with the scope and amendities to sustain interest over such a long period is Wilson Park in Torrance. Located in the middle of the city the park offers a wide range of diversions and entertainment. Half the acerage consists of picnic tables and barbeque pits with ample grassy areas for the little guys to toss a frisbee or play some catch. On other half of the park is open space on two adjacent baseball fields. Whereas the picnic areas have natural shade from the abundant trees the fields are utilized by experienced campers. Pop up canopies and tents are hauled and set up in no time as well as portable barbeque grills. All the simple comforts provide a home base to eat, rest, and an opportunity to enjoy the surroundings. With the infields left unoccupied, limited ball games quickly rotate through allowing families with diverse talents to sample just enough friendly competition to have some real fun. Facilities offer many other sports competition. Tennis, paddle ball, roller hockey, skate boarding, horse shoes, batting cages, and basketball. Oddly though this year the basketball courts were not useable this year as they were lined with portapotties. Portable toilets and their maintenance have greatly improved over the years. There are plenty of clean facilities all day long and portable sinks with running water to clean up. When your done with eating your food, playing sports, and emptying the bodily wastes, one can go shop! Trinkets, posters, food, games, henna tattoos, and anything else that is typically found at a town fair.
All day up until the fireworks there is entertainment at both ends of the parks. Nestled under the trees is a small stage where professional musicians engage the nearby celebrants. At the other end all but the final act is provided by local sing and dance mills. Eight years old belt out Oklahoma with varying degrees of interest but always with a lot of energy. That will be followed by a grinding dance routine from Grease. Somewhere in there the ballet troupe tip toes to the delight of no one in particular. You always wonder what the motivation for the applause is when the individual acts reach their conclusion. One of the most memorable acts for three years running was Little Elvis who was some middle aged Pacific Asian who was indeed short. He had groupies to whom he tossed out kerchieves with which he used to sop up his sweat. He did the whole Elvis bit including the big entrance and frenzied exit out of the "arena" at the conclusion of the show. His costume consisted of the all white outfit covered with rhinestones. He was a little over the top but he did sing well and if you squinted, had a few beers, and sat in the back you really might think that Elvis might be in the building. What was even funnier years later is that he had to stop performing as Little Elvis because someone else who was littler and younger had rights to the name. It was some pre-teen who could belt out the hits and swivel his underdeveloped hips with gusto. If I remember correctly he appeared briefly one year at the park. After everyone reached their fill of food and entertainment it was time to bring out the big guns, ie, fireworks. Promptly at 9 the lights go out, the music starts, and the night sky comes to life. By then the canopies and tents are down and the van is already packed with everything but the chairs and blankets. With coffee in one hand and dessert in the other we watch the rockets red glare followed maybe by a smiley face display. After 15 minutes of oohs and ahs, the grand finale presents a gorgeous and thunderous finishing touch. Another traditional day has reached a satisfying conclusion. If only the battle to get out of the parking lot wasn't so painful.
As the boys have gotten older we have evolved the tradition to add our own little fireworks display at home shortly after returning from the park. Safe and sane fireworks are legal in our town and although nothing gets airborne or too loud it does present its own sense of excitment and fun.
As is true for all holidays, the Fourth of July is a date that we all look forward to with much anticipation. Fireworks, picnics, camping trips, water skiing trips, and the possibilities are endless. But somehow traditions get established, evolve, and morph. Since I met Connie in 1987 (married in '93)the day at the park has become my tradition which had already become her family's yearly tradition. The park with the scope and amendities to sustain interest over such a long period is Wilson Park in Torrance. Located in the middle of the city the park offers a wide range of diversions and entertainment. Half the acerage consists of picnic tables and barbeque pits with ample grassy areas for the little guys to toss a frisbee or play some catch. On other half of the park is open space on two adjacent baseball fields. Whereas the picnic areas have natural shade from the abundant trees the fields are utilized by experienced campers. Pop up canopies and tents are hauled and set up in no time as well as portable barbeque grills. All the simple comforts provide a home base to eat, rest, and an opportunity to enjoy the surroundings. With the infields left unoccupied, limited ball games quickly rotate through allowing families with diverse talents to sample just enough friendly competition to have some real fun. Facilities offer many other sports competition. Tennis, paddle ball, roller hockey, skate boarding, horse shoes, batting cages, and basketball. Oddly though this year the basketball courts were not useable this year as they were lined with portapotties. Portable toilets and their maintenance have greatly improved over the years. There are plenty of clean facilities all day long and portable sinks with running water to clean up. When your done with eating your food, playing sports, and emptying the bodily wastes, one can go shop! Trinkets, posters, food, games, henna tattoos, and anything else that is typically found at a town fair. 
All day up until the fireworks there is entertainment at both ends of the parks. Nestled under the trees is a small stage where professional musicians engage the nearby celebrants. At the other end all but the final act is provided by local sing and dance mills. Eight years old belt out Oklahoma with varying degrees of interest but always with a lot of energy. That will be followed by a grinding dance routine from Grease. Somewhere in there the ballet troupe tip toes to the delight of no one in particular. You always wonder what the motivation for the applause is when the individual acts reach their conclusion. One of the most memorable acts for three years running was Little Elvis who was some middle aged Pacific Asian who was indeed short. He had groupies to whom he tossed out kerchieves with which he used to sop up his sweat. He did the whole Elvis bit including the big entrance and frenzied exit out of the "arena" at the conclusion of the show. His costume consisted of the all white outfit covered with rhinestones. He was a little over the top but he did sing well and if you squinted, had a few beers, and sat in the back you really might think that Elvis might be in the building. What was even funnier years later is that he had to stop performing as Little Elvis because someone else who was littler and younger had rights to the name. It was some pre-teen who could belt out the hits and swivel his underdeveloped hips with gusto. If I remember correctly he appeared briefly one year at the park. After everyone reached their fill of food and entertainment it was time to bring out the big guns, ie, fireworks. Promptly at 9 the lights go out, the music starts, and the night sky comes to life. By then the canopies and tents are down and the van is already packed with everything but the chairs and blankets. With coffee in one hand and dessert in the other we watch the rockets red glare followed maybe by a smiley face display. After 15 minutes of oohs and ahs, the grand finale presents a gorgeous and thunderous finishing touch. Another traditional day has reached a satisfying conclusion. If only the battle to get out of the parking lot wasn't so painful. 
As the boys have gotten older we have evolved the tradition to add our own little fireworks display at home shortly after returning from the park. Safe and sane fireworks are legal in our town and although nothing gets airborne or too loud it does present its own sense of excitment and fun.
1 comment:
Leo, you appear to be a very busy and fortunate man. Your ramlings are inspiring. Keep up with the excellant blog that you are running. GL NY
Post a Comment