On Thursday night, July 6, Tom and I went to the big fourth of July celebration in our community. We sat on a grassy hillside with our good friends Steve, Kathy and Kate along with maybe 9,000 of our other close friends. This event has been going on for 35 years. It starts at 5:00 p.m. and ends at 11:00 p.m.
There is music throughout the evening leading up to the Minnesota Orchestra playing a concert. A man on stilts, who looks an awful lot like Uncle Sam, walks the grounds. A juggler walks through the crowd entertaining children and adults alike. People spread out their blankets and chairs and coolers and tables of food as they settle in for the spectacular evening. Anywhere you choose to walk throughout the night means you are stepping on other people's blankets and stepping over people you have never met. But, nobody minds. It feels like one huge giant family who are all sharing one purpose......the purpose being enjoying a wonderful night. The night concludes with a laser beam show and spectacular fireworks set to music.
I shared some short videos of the night with my friend, Joe, who lives in Ireland. He said it well. He said, "Everyone seems so nice and like they are having a good time. It feels safe." That is exactly what it felt like and it has never changed since we started going. The event is fun, predictable, orderly and safe.
Once you attend Music In Plymouth, it becomes tradition. Each year after the first year feels like you not only want to go, but you have to go. And, if you can't go, there is a bit of a let down feeling. With me in the picture are my friends Kathy and Kate.
Plans are already underway for next year. Kathy wants to coordinate the food. I can tell right now that next year will not only be a spectacular event with music and fireworks, but a spectacular banquet spread out under the stars and moon.
