The Bristol Fourth of July Parade was inaugurated in 1785. As you might imagine, this small town is mighty proud of this. The parade is always fun with marching bands from as far away as Minnesota and Texas. I also enjoy the growups playing dressup in period costumes of three cornered hats and firing muskets, ladies fife and drum corp. The militia units, there are usually several, also go back to the revolutionary war such as the Kentish Rifles or the Bristol 'train of Artillery. This year it was all cancelled.

My brother-in-law, who I've known since we were 6 y.o., hosts a big neighborhood party on his farm next to a spring fed pond that fills up with kids. I never took a count but there are over 120 people there. There is a grill for the meat, a DJ for dancing and BYOB. I get back to my home town maybe once a year so I enjoy these gatherings because there are always people there I've known just as long. This year nothing. We know next year will be different and with luck and some effort, different for the better.