What Are Smoosiers Doing for the 4th of July?

[Nwokedi C. Idika]

This will be my first time being in Indiana during the 4th of July weekend, so I'm wondering is there anything special that typically happens?

[Jim Brown]

Good idea Steve! I actually got an early birthday present (My birthday is the 4th of July), and it was a new American Flag and a new Marine Corps Flag.

I'll be celebrating our freedom with friends and family this weekend, and giving thanks to all of those who have participated in keeping us free.

[Erik Deckers]

The IDADA First Friday event is still going on. My in-laws are coming to town that day, so I'm taking them down to Mass Ave for the First Friday event, and then we're going to Wug Laku's studio because there is a great view of the fireworks from there, without fear of getting pelted by the pieces of cardboard from the fireworks, which is what happened to us last year.

[Andrew Ball]

We're going to Wug's also - but just to see his current exhibit. Then we'll sit on the roof of my office which is across the street from the fireworks and has a direct view of the bank building. Unless, of course, we're having too good of a time at Wug's...

Oh, and of course I'll put out my flag.

[Erik Deckers]

Wear a helmet. We were sitting in the MacNiven's parking lot two blocks away, and I was hit with a piece of cardboard about the size of my Blackberry that came from one of the fireworks tubes.

[Nancy Lee]

Erik, it sounds like you still have issues from being bombarded with bits of cardboard. Did you have to pay extra for that? Because that sounds totally cool. Especially if they were still on fire. Wait, I didn't say that....

[Lalita Amos]

First time in Indiana for the Fourth, eh? Good on you!

We're going to cook out here and invite many of the neighbors as well as my Dad from Lafayette (I'm a Purdue grad, too, Nwokedi). If you're not doing anything else (and are the adventurous sort), consider dropping by for a plate of good food and conversation with friends you haven't met yet. We'll be serving up grilled veg, chicken and sausages or burgers (turkey--no mammal), salad and the like and I'm going to make ice cream and, maybe, ginger beer.

We might even set you up with your own cache of fireworks!

We, of course, will be watching Will Smith save the earth in Independence Day, and thinking how how fierce we all are when truly united.

[Erik Deckers]

I was about to say turkeys are mammals, and then had to rethink why that would be wrong on so many counts (said the guy who spent 10 years working in the poultry industry!).

[Lalita Amos]

Um, Eric. I'm glad you caught yourself. You gave me quite the laugh.

Little Milton sang: "Grits ain't groceries, eggs ain't poultry and Mona Lisa was a man," speaking of the absurd. We can now add "turkey ain't mammal," though it isn't as lyrical.

[Nancy Lee]

Looks like a party at Wug's! That's where I will be, too. Brilliant Hoosier artist Jim Gerard will be shown at this IDADA First Friday special event. Special 'cause only a few galleries will be participating and because it is a Wug's, the most unusual gallery space in town according to NUVO. Good eats, wine, and tunes in a friendly gallery space. Then I will be enjoying some fireworks afterwards with friends.

[Kyle Lacy]

Come on Troy, you are making Nwokedi's post look like myspace. :)

I will be in the beautiful city of Peru, Indiana attending a wedding. Who has a wedding on the 4th?

[Lalita Amos]

Kyle wrote: "Who has a wedding on the 4th?"

Not I. Have fun, though.

[Hazel "The Queen" Walker]

I am holding up in a Bed and Breakfast to get some serious writing done for my publisher and co-authors, while taking the time to enjoy some quiet meditations and nature! Avoiding ALL Crowds of people!

I hope there is a good turn out at Wugs.