One of the first things people think of when the South is brought up is its deep passion for patriotism. While this passion can be taken negatively and to the extreme at times, one thing people down South will never lose is their eagerness for the 4th of July. Born and raised deep in rural Mississippi, I have spent every holiday there, but the one holiday that always stood out was the Fourth of July. Calling it a singular holiday is an understatement, as planning for the Fourth starts weeks, even sometimes a year in advance.
As soon as the calendar changes to June, Southern moms pull out their independence flags, big bright red and blue streamers, and start meal prepping for whatever feast they will concoct.
It is a known tradition for families in the south to load up in campers and trucks, drive out to the local parks, and call that home for a week. Most campsites are booked to full compacity in the two weeks anticipating the Fourth, and to secure a spot, you must reserve a year in advance. But this does not always mean you have a spot, as it turns into a competition, and better locations often get bought from under a person’s feet.
Whether it’s a hotdog casserole or bright blue punch with who-knows-what ‘s-mixed-in, if it screams USA, you can find it at a picnic table on the Fourth. These people are so enthusiastic about their patriotism that they throw whole parades, and usually multiple throughout the day. These parades are always full of the South’s favorite things: firefighters, fireworks, cheerleaders and booze.
