Date_of_performance: 04/25/2025

Informant Name: EG

Language: English 

Nationality: American

Occupation: Student/barista

Primary Language: English

Residence: Santa clarita

INTERVIEW:

A ritual my family started when I was pretty young on the Fourth of July, was to go down to the parade that was happening less than a mile from our house, invite our friends and sit on blankets and watch the floats go by and grabbing the candy we can catch. While it was early, 9 am, it was such a fun way to start the day because I was able to see my friends and some of my family, we would also invite two of my dogs to come with us and they would behave so well. Afterwards, once the parade was over, we would invite everyone back to our house, where we would have a Fourth of July “feast” with deviled eggs, homemade pasta salad my mom made, fruit, many sweet treats and any other food that everyone could bring. We would sit around outside and catch up with everyone, what we were excited for during the rest of the summer and run around in our backyard. Later in the evening, everyone would go up to my grandparent’s house and swim in the backyard pool they have, eat more delicious food (hot dogs, popsicles, homemade chocolate chip cookies) and watch the fireworks when they happen. I have so many fond memories of past fourth of july events when everyone was able to get together and before my family moved away from everyone.

MY ANALYSIS:

Fourth of July has caused many mixed emotions. As of recently, it has been anger or the desire to stay away from celebrating and committing to activities that surround the holiday. Because of the state of the US has of 2020, the idea of spending the holiday with family has taken a step back and has become overshadowed by all of the horrible events that have happened. It causes us to lose sight of the past joy and memories we have created with family from this holiday, and not even celebrating the actual meaning of the holiday, just getting the time in summer to be around our loved ones and friends. EG’s story talking about the past fourth of july’s being spent with families, causes me to reflect on how the holiday used to be celebrated, next to your family while eating good food and looking at the fireworks. It seemed like EG’S time was less spent celebrating the holiday and more time getting the opportunity to be around people who love you and doing summer activities. Again, traditions are usually done with or passed down from your family, so if anything, fourth of july is about family and celebrating each other.