Bingo my life

I was in the fine city of Alachua. Alachua is located in Alachua County. Alachua is a small town and this year during the 4th of July it was glowing with patriotism. Every year they hold a grand fireworks display. This year was my first visit, my girlfriend attended a few years back. I did not know what to expect. I figured hmm…this 4th of July Extravaganza could be loads of fun in a Florida Cracker sort of way… The streets were lined with proud American flags. The flags seemed crisp, in the hot summer afternoon that for some reason would not surrender the slightest breeze. It was a warm and humid summer day.

My girly friend and I arrived in the late afternoon. The grounds where the event was to take place seemed to be some sort of county park. There was a giant field for parking cars, a smaller field that contained dozens of vendors and a stage. The parking lot by evening was packed. As the announcer said from the small stage “this is the biggest small town firework show of its kind”. Alright I am sure many try to claim this title, but hey sometimes its the thought that counts. Well the vendors were varied. There were a few local politicians campaigning. I tried to ignore them since, well I am not registered to vote here. There was some guy selling tie-dye shirts. There were quite a number of vendors selling bbq. I am not a huge fan, but for some reason it seemed fitting to have tons of unhealthy food to choose from on the 4th of July. There was also some vendor selling Bayou Billy shaved ice. It was awesome. Can’t explain it really but it was the perfect compliment to a warm summer afternoon. There was even one tent that had environmental stickers. I thought this was funny because they seemed so out of place. I had respect for them showing up and I must admit I agreed completely with some of their sticker slogans. They seemed to have very few customers. I guess people view these type of vendors as downers. Its sad but it is true. I feel that you cannot save the world by making people feel guilty. Environmentalists sometimes are a bit guilty of ‘doom and gloom’ which does not often sell to the general public. I gave no more thought to the previously mentioned observation and I guess it was bingo that changed my day and maybe my overall perspective of America. It was the 4th of July and it does not hurt to give a little thought to what your country is all about.