FIRST WORD
For the Love of Red, White and Blue
I Britni Petersen
Managing Editor
bpetersen@midatlanticmedia.com Facebook
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editor@thefamilymagazine.com still remember my cherished childhood Fourth
of July celebrations like they were yesterday. My
friends and I would decorate our bikes in red, white
and blue galore, wear our best Old Navy patriotic-
styled gear and giddily head out into the summer sun
to ride along in our neighborhood’s annual Fourth of
July parade. Post-parade, we’d all join together for a
watermelon feast and some spirited games such as a
watermelon seed-spitting contest, which was popular
in Texas. We’d then spend the rest of the day partaking
in water-related activities, eating hot dogs, burgers
and beloved Firecracker Popsicles with friends and
family, and seeing who could best spell out their name
using sparklers. We’d end the night, of course, basking
in all of the good American feels, lying out on picnic
blankets watching a glorious fireworks display. It
always felt like the true heart of summer.

And even now, I still look forward to this holiday.

I mean, who doesn’t love a good Fourth of July
celebration? The grilling out, the dressing up, the
parades, the fireworks, the collective patriotic spirit
— it’s always a good time.

Luckily for us, there are many ways to celebrate
Independence Day in our area that will make for
some fond childhood memories for your kiddos.

We’ve compiled a list of local Fourth of July activities
on page 11 and we’ve also provided some delicious
red, white and blue-approved recipes to try out on
page 36. Plus, our list of patriotic reads on page 26
will get your little ones excited for the big day!
We also have something pretty big this month … our
2019 Best for FAMILIES results! From the best schools
and camps to the best local restaurants and wineries,
our readers, once again, chose their local favorites to be
featured in this issue. Discover what locals say are our
area’s best people, places, activities, fun things to do
and more on page 14.

Other wonderful reads in this issue are our crab-
eating tutorial for kids on page 32, a sneaking-in
summer learning guide on page 24 and some essential
sleeping advice for worn-out moms on page 28.

We hope your Fourth of July is filled with lots of
family, friends, fun and perhaps a few Firecracker
Popsicles thrown in there for good measure, too.

Happy reading! ■
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