Fireworks, hotdogs and summer blockbuster movies are Independence Day staples. But this year brings a flurry of unique and alternative events where Americans can come together, put aside our differences, and celebrate 250 years of nationhood.
From coast to coast, the long July 4th weekend will still offer spectacular fireworks shows, against stunning backdrops including Niagara Falls and Mount Rushmore, and parties like Nashville’s Let Freedom Sing event.
Yet the nation’s birthday can also be marked in more unusual and one-off ways that highlight American history, ingenuity and diversity. Here are some of the cool things happening this year:
Sail250
A flotilla of tall ships and military vessels is making its way up the Atlantic coast as part of the summer-long Sail250 event with stops before July 16 at three more cities that helped forge the American nation — Baltimore, New York and Boston.
