Plans for the 4th of July?

With the 4th of July just around the corner, I'm wondering what your holiday wouldn't be the same without. For my family, the celebration actually starts on the 3rd with a parade in the evening. Folks around here are crazy about parades. Many have their "spot" staked out in the morning. It's almost as much fun watching the spectators as it is the parade. On the 4th we have a picnic with hamburgers, brats, cole slaw, potato salad and watermelon. We finish the evening watching a spectacular fireworks display. What does your 4th look like?

Wendy

 living here in AZ we go to a home with a pool ...this year it's here...

no parades here....way to hot.....and sadly some cities are not having fireworks this year due to $$$$ issues....if the nearest towns have them we can see them out on the back patio....

no grilling this year.....we are dining on:

BBQ beef sandwches (crockpot)

cole slaw

pasta salad

baked beans

veggies and fruits

chips and fresh salsa and spicy carrots

beverages

homemade ice cream...peach, blackberry, strawberry and chocolate chip

half batch of texas brownies....

gotta have homemade ice cream...so my daughter and I each make 2 batches....and we either sit in the pool or chat....and play board or card games...in the A/C....which is not working to well right now..., but will be repaired tomorrow...

My kids are all too old for our town's "bike parade" that takes place just before the "real parade" -- but we still make sure we get there in time to see all the wagons, strollers, trikes and bikes bedecked with flags and crepe paper streamers. Our town does a bang-up job on the parade, and there's a big celebration in the park afterward. People bring blankets, lawn chairs and grills -- or buy hot dogs and nachos and soda from the Boy Scouts -- and just basically camp out for the day, visiting with each other, listening to bands, playing bingo or visiting the dunk tank (I was actually the dunkee for a few years -- boy, am I glad THAT'S done!).

There are a few carnival rides and games for the kids, a big community raffle for the adults and the highlight -- a fireworks extravaganza. I love our town's Fourth!

 The Fourth of July plans mentioned so far sound a lot like mine. What I'm wondering is what Canadians do to have fun on July 1. Is Canada Day celebrated very differently than the Fourth is in the U.S.? I'd love to hear from north of the border!