- April 24, 2024
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Back in 2006, I faced a serious predicament on the Fourth of July: Skip class or don't skip class? Which is more patriotic?
BY ANDREW O'BRIEN | SPORTS EDITOR
Later this week, fireworks will paint Ormond Beach skies in celebration of America’s independence. And despite there not being a ton of sporting events that coincide with the Fourth of July, I've always loved this holiday.
Of course, there's baseball. And, really, what’s more patriotic than America’s pastime? Not much.
Little League also hits its peak during the summer months. Surf contests take place. Summer camps. All of these scream America.
Growing up in Flagler County, as I'm sure is the case in every coastal town, everybody went to the beach on the Fourth of July. It was tradition. After you graduate high school and go on to college, people still congregate on the sand on Independence Day.
It’s sort of like a reunion.
I remember when I was a freshman at the University of North Florida, which seems like forever ago (although it really wasn’t). I enrolled in summer classes immediately after graduating high school.
Because the Fourth of July was on a Tuesday back in 2006, and I had classes on Mondays and Wednesdays, I was in a major predicament. I didn’t mind going to class the day before the holiday, but I didn’t want to go to class the day after. No way.
And so, I skipped.
What does this have to do with anything, you ask? Well, now a full-time working man with many more responsibilities than simply showing up for class and taking notes, I find myself in yet another predicament.
This year, obviously, the Fourth of July is on a Thursday. Our offices are closed, but in Palm Coast, Friday is our deadline day for Saturday’s paper.
Skipping has crossed my mind, but I think I’ll show up. It’s the American thing to do.
And if you’re looking for what to do on July 4, in Ormond Beach, there will be several Fourth of July-related activities in Ormond Beach all day Thursday.
The City Hall Plaza will feature live music from 6-9:15 p.m, with fireworks shooting off promptly at 9:30 p.m., over the Halifax River.
This is the 15th year the event has been held on the corners of that bridge.
Happy Independence Day, my fellow Americans. Be safe. Be patriotic.
