Coronado’s Fourth of July

???????The Fourth of July on Coronado is quite special. It’s a glimpse into Small Town, USA. Rarely seen anymore and always longed for. But it’s still here and you can be part of it, even if only for a day or two. It all starts with a parade. The parade route, going down Orange Avenue is marked at the end in grand style by the spectacular Hotel del Coronado. This ritual has been going for the last 63 years and it’s still a big hit every year. People are lined up, without an empty space in sight, waiting for hours for the parade to begin. It’s filled with floats, classic cars, clowns and, of course, military bands. After all, this is a military town. During the parade, it’s interesting to watch the viewers as the military bands and groups walked by. Everyone stood, a true sign of thanks and respect for what these brave men and women do for us everyday. After the parade, the merriment on the island is just getting started. There are so many things to see and do it’s almost endless. You may be hungry for lunch now, provided you didn’t buy food from people walking by with items for purchase from local restaurants. If you did, then it’s time to head to the Ferry Landing for a concert in the park. Or perhaps, since it’s a warm day in early July you’d like to head to the beach to cool off in the surf. Again, with the Hotel del Coronado as a backdrop, this picturesque beach is sandy, warm, wonderful and one of the best. Playing in the waves is a nice way to spend a holiday afternoon. Now that your cooled off and cleaned up, it’s time to head over to Spreckles Park for another concert. Get there early because finding space is reminiscent of the parade route, but completely worth it. On the agenda for today is music with patriotic flair. This music is sure to please this ‘Support the Troops’ crowd, not to mention a great lead in to the festivities later in the day. Fireworks! Can America’s birthday be celebrated in any other way? What would this day be without those spectacular bombs bursting in air? All the colors, shapes and sparkles filling the sky. The air is filled with “ooohs” and “aaahhhs” from the appreciative spectators who’ve planned for this all year. This years display was one of the largest in the Western US and made only better by the company’s commitment not to pollute the waters. We all enjoyed the display knowing that our pristine bay and view of downtown would be as perfect tomorrow as it was today. To take in the view in style make sure to visit one of the many Ferry Landing restaurants, all excellent and worth trying. You better be willing to stand in line because everyone wants to partake of the outstanding cuisine here. A great meal only enhances a perfect day. Regretfully this day will end in this lovely small town. Residents will head back to their homes and visitors to their hotel rooms. We’ll fall asleep to ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’. They may not be sugar plums but the fireworks will be dancing in our heads. We smile in our slumber looking forward to next year. Next year the festivities will be similar. The parade, concerts, pristine beach, great restaurants and fireworks display will all be there. It’s perfect, fun and although it doesn’t change much, we that live here look forward to it every year. For those of you that want to immerse yourself in this perfection, then you should make a reservation for your hotel right now. They fill up fast. People want to feel, just for a little while, like they live in the most perfect little town in the world. I’m glad I do. http://vickitravels.wordpress.com/2011/07/06/coronados-fourth-of-july/