Independence Day!

This Independence Day was celebrated at Old World Wisconsin where you "return to the Wisconsin of the late 19th century when waves of immigrants came to America's heartland in search of a better life"...and this is what we did...

We took trams around from town to farms to settlements from various countries
The girls helped a lady water her garden
We heard patriotic and political speeches
We saw horse races
Chopped wood
Carved wood

Played a new (but old) version of pick-up-sticks (there's a hook on the end of Eliza's stick)
Made fresh lemonaid
Watched a blacksmith work some metal
Checked out lots of farms, granaries, meat houses, homes, etc.

And played games and did other activities Old World style. When a friend was telling me about this place they mentioned some of the activities and the types of thing that go on there. They said something kid of doubtful, like, "It's fun...if that's your kind of thing." Well, it IS our kind of thing! We had a great time--and the 4th was a great time to go to celebrate our country!

That evening, of course was full of pop-its, sparklers, friends, and a firework show!
I was the sparkler hander-outer. I enjoyed my 15 minutes of super-popularity.