My oldest granddaughter is a Yankee Doodle Dandy, born on the 4th of July!
So every year we celebrate at my place, except all the kids were longing for fireworks like me.
Because of the tall, tall trees, it’s difficult to see any from afar…and I love those tall, tall trees, which we didn’t have in San Antonio, Texas.
This year my hubby and I learned Mount Vernon switched up their summer fireworks schedule, which usually show for a few weekends in June.
Although my hubby and I have often gone to them, and completely enjoy the amazingness of them, they weren’t on the 4th.
But this year, Mount Vernon moved them to the 3rd and 4th of July.
Asking my kids if we wanted to do them for Miss M’s birthday, her daddy chose July 3rd, since that was his day off.
So that is what we did…on an excruciatingly Texas hot day in Virginia!
After a quick hamburger dinner with my son (B______) and his wife (S______) and Miss E (age 2), my daughter (C_______) and her husband (A______) and Miss M (age 6 on the 4th), we drove out to Mount Vernon.
INDEPENDENCE FIREWORKS AT MOUNT VERNON
The temps were over 100 degrees which meant the heat index was around 110 degrees.
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
After we found a spot on the Potomac side of the mansion to lay our blankets and set up chairs, we did the several events in different groupings throughout the evening.
There was something for everyone.
My hubby mostly stayed with all the gear, just relaxing and scrolling through his phone like he usually does, listening to the music there.
MISTING TENTS
This year Mount Vernon had misting tents everywhere, which I think were my granddaughter’s (Miss M at age 5 and 364/365 years and and Miss E at 2 years old) favorite of thing!
But the sun was setting which meant that the tall, tall trees were casting lots of shade in lots of places while we pretty much had opportunity to see what we wanted on the grounds.
MILITIA
Something new to Mount Vernon in the last couple of years is the militia encampment on a daily basis and this year for this event.
Walking in we heard the BOOM! which made Miss M flinch (but no tears) while Miss E didn’t flinch at all.
Last year fireworks were NOT her thing…so far this year was looking good for her!
After we settled our gear, B________ and A_________ split for the militia encampment…with S_________ and Miss E and I soon following to chat in the nearby shade.
MEETING THE WASHINGTONS
Leaving S_______ and Miss E to find B__________, I caught up with C___________ and Miss E at the misting tent.
From there we found another great way to escape the heat was to enjoy the air conditioned interpretative center where General Washington and his wife, Martha, answered questions from the audience.
Although C_________ and I thoroughly enjoyed this program, Miss M understandably soon grew bored.
As we left, we saw that S__________, B____________, and Miss E had entered after us to enjoy the program.
After we left, I explained to Miss M that that was General George Washington and his wife who lived here.
In doubt, she stated: But Mom told me he was dead.
True, but I explained that the people we saw were actors like on tv, so we could learn what the Washington’s were like when they did live here.
She’s gave that idea some thought…
AIR BALLOON
When I remembered the children’s 18th century games tent, I mentioned it to C__________ who took Miss M there to play while I watched this air balloon demonstration from 1783.
They were filling it with air when I arrived, then the let it go to float in the air and come back down again. (see my youtube video here)
THE FRENCH ARRIVED!
Then I rested in the shade while listening to the French Foreign Legion perform some great tunes. Lots of French military were there taking pictures along with the crowd.
Soon, B__________ joined me there…and so did my hubby!
GARDENS
As the sun began hide behind the trees, I visited the gardens…soon C______ and Miss M met me there.
As I headed to the mansion for evening photos, C___________ and Miss M headed for the misting tent.
PBS CAPITOL FOURTH SECRET
When I returned to the mansion to meet my family for fireworks, I took a clear viewed picture of the mansion, apart from one of the staff blocking people from going towards it.
And then I found a better shot…
Unbeknownst to me at the time, there was a soloist in a sparkly silver gown on the left side of the photo, and the reason why the area was blocked.
The next day I put two and two together.
Earlier that day, my daughter told us that PBS would film the fireworks from Mount Vernon to the Capitol Fourth.
Mount Vernon never mentioned that ahead of time, in our programs, or while we were there in any way.
But the next day I watched a replay of the Capitol Fourth and was flabbergasted that the soloist was taping in front of the mansion throughout the evening.
Those of us at Mount Vernon didn’t hear her, and the Capitol Fourth crowd didn’t hear the Mount Vernon music for the fireworks, which was completely different from that of a Capitol Fourth.
In fact, I wondered the entire time where the PBS film crews were. I never saw them.
As I was leaving this area, C___________ and Miss M met up with me after having run into the PBS crew. They told me all about that!
FIREWORKS
Love how all the boats come just to see the fireworks. What a fun vantage point!
Before the fireworks, General Washington gave a speech to the crowd, quite a bit larger than what he is used to but unruffled he assured us there was plenty of room.
Then the fireworks shooting over the Potomac from a boat. Too cool!
