Presidents, Independence Day celebrations and Georgetown events

Independence Day is a time to reflect and give thanks for our freedoms. The holiday began with the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain in 1776.

It’s been a federal holiday since 1941. July 4 lands on a Friday this year, which means a long three-day weekend to enjoy parades, barbecues, fireworks and a bombardment of red white and blue.

The White House, a symbol of democracy, has been home to every president since 1800. But how is Independence Day celebrated at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue?

According to the White House Historical Association, presidents and their families have marked the patriotic holiday in unique ways.

Independence Day celebrations began in 1801, when Thomas Jefferson opened White House doors to diplomats, civil and military officers, citizens, and Cherokee chiefs as the Marine Band played in the Entrance Hall. On the north grounds a festival took place with horse races, parades, food and drink.

President John Tyler invited John Quincy Adams to a private dinner at the White House to celebrate the anniversary of American independence. 

Adams wrote in his diary, “There was turtle soup from a turtle weighing 300 pounds from Key West.” President Tyler ended the evening watching fireworks from Lafayette Square with guests.

During the James K. Polk administration in 1845, the doors were again opened for the annual Independence Day reception.  Polk celebrations reached their pinnacle in 1848 with the dedication of the Washington Monument. 

In 1850, President Zachary Taylor became ill after drinking ice water and eating cherries while attending the Independence Day celebrations at the Washington Monument. Five days later he died from “a gastrointestinal illness (perhaps cholera), which was not uncommon in D.C. before the advent of modern plumbing and sewage.”

President Lincoln attended a picnic for African American schools, churches, and religious groups on Independence Day.  Participants listened to a recitation of the Declaration of Independence on the White House South Grounds.

President Calvin Coolidge shared a birthday with the United States and celebrated the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1926. He gave a speech in Philadelphia about the establishment of our nation. 

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt planned a celebration away from the White House. On Independence Day, Roosevelt showed the staff around his Hyde Park estate along the Hudson River, before hosting a picnic at the family's nearby cottage.

It became common for first families to leave town and escape the July heat. Staff and other guests, however, are often permitted to celebrate on the South Lawn with picnics, games, and the firework displays. President Richard Nixon invited staff and a group of Vietnam veterans while he vacationed in Key Biscayne, Florida.

President Gerald R. Ford and First Lady Betty Ford celebrated the 200th anniversary of American independence. Celebrations kicked off with the President and his daughter Susan flying by helicopter from the White House to Valley Forge in Pennsylvania where he signed legislation to make Valley Forge a national park. 

The Fords then flew to Philadelphia to attend celebrations at Independence Hall, just as President Calvin Coolidge had fifty years earlier. After a bell ringing ceremony in New York, they returned to the White House to watch Washington, D.C.’s fireworks over the National Mall. 

President Reagan’s visit to the “Firecracker 400” in Daytona Beach in 1984 stands out as a unique celebration. In 1986, President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan traveled to New York Harbor to celebrate Independence day and the 100th birthday of the Statue of Liberty. President Reagan delivered an address from the USS John Kennedy.

President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama held naturalization ceremonies for new citizens and honored military families and veterans on Independence Day, 

It would be great fun to celebrate Independence Day at the White House, but my invitation hasn’t arrived yet. Fortunately, Georgetown has several activities for all ages planned. 

Linda Dwyer has lived in Williamson County and written for the Williamson Sun since 2014. Her columns focus on food related topics, theater productions and local points of interest. She can be reached at dwyer@wilcosun.com. 

Celebrate July 4 in Georgetown Friday

Georgetown will be bustling with patriotic festivities this Fourth of July. From parades to petting zoos and fireworks displays, there will be plenty of fun for the whole family. 

Old Town Parade

Hosted by City Council Member Amanda Parr, the Old Town Parade will take residents from First United Methodist Church — 410 East University Avenue — to San Jose Park  — 1707 San Jose Street. 

Parade lineup starts at 8:45 a.m. and will begin at 9 a.m. Participants will travel to San Jose Park, where there will be a coffee truck and the splash pad will be on. There will be barricades along the parade path to prevent interfering traffic. 

Neighborhood residents can participate in the parade by walking, driving or biking in the parade. The community is also welcome to watch and cheer along the parade route.  

Sertoma Fourth of July at San Gabriel Park 

The Sertoma Club of Georgetown will host a full day of Independence Day festivities, including fireworks, arts and crafts vendors, a petting zoo, games, food vendors, rides for all ages and a parade. Admission is free, but some children’s activities will require a fee.

Stage entertainment begins at 10 a.m., and the July Fourth Hometown Parade in San Gabriel Park begins at 11 a.m. at the low water crossing near the College Street bridge. It ends at the large pavilion. Participants are asked to gather at 10:30 a.m. at the low water crossing. 

Kids are encouraged to decorate wagons or bicycles for the parade.

Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.  and will launch from McMaster Athletic Fields on College Street and can be best viewed from VFW Park and San Gabriel Park. The main entrance for the event is via Morrow Street on North Austin Avenue. The McMaster Athletic fields will be closed all day for the event. 

North College Street will close from about 8-11 p.m. between the traffic circle and Holly Street. Sitting, standing or parking will not be allowed along this stretch during that time. 

First Friday Music on the Square

The Downtown Georgetown Association will host a Fourth of July-themed First Friday Music on the Square downtown from 6-8 p.m.