The Sunmark Team Shares Their July Fourth Memories and Traditions

 

If you’re looking for a uniquely American holiday, you can’t beat Independence Day on July 4. We Americans love to celebrate the founding of our country, to the tune of 15,000 organized fireworks displays nationwide. We also eat more than 150 million hot dogs on just this one day. If you laid those dogs out end to end, they would reach from Washington D.C to Los Angeles more than five times. We even spend $92 million just on potato chips to scarf down while we eat those hot dogs and watch those fireworks.

Independence Day means many things to many different Americans, so we asked some of our Sunmark staff exactly what their favorite family traditions are on the holiday, and what aspect of the July 4 holiday makes them feel the most patriotic.

What is your favorite family July 4 Tradition?

“My kids like to go to the parade in Alplaus. Is it the bands? The bag pipes? Do they like seeing the fire trucks? Well yes, but the real reason is that nearly everyone who marches in the parade throws candy out to the kids in the crowd. It's usually hot and one group hands out freeze pops! My girls each take a grocery bag and come home with several pounds of candy. It's almost like Halloween!” - Janet Daly, Paralegal, Mortgage Closing Group

“My favorite family tradition is of course watching the fireworks and having a barbeque.” - Erica Godlewski, Member Relationship Manager, Schenectady (Broadway) Branch

“Getting together with family that perhaps we have not seen for a long time. Getting together with friends as well and being able to really unfold and relax.” - Jose Camilo, Mortgage Originator

“If I can be on a boat with friends, family (and watermelon), it's a good 4th! Other years, we've done a big party at my parents' house ("Camp David") with lots of food, drinks, and fireworks.” - Joy David, Commercial Closing Attorney

“Family barbecue and fireworks. When I was young, we lived in a small town in Ashland, MA. Fireworks were not the huge displays they are today, and I would sit on my Dad's car hood and watch the fireworks. No crowds - just a small group of people watching the local festivities.” - Carole Wands, Vice President Marketing

“My favorite July 4th tradition is watching my kids gaze in awe of the fireworks. I hope they always find that magic in the things adults take for granted.” - Audrey Stone, Charitable Foundation Administrator

 

What part of Independence Day makes you feel the most patriotic?

“There is one house in Alplaus that mounts a GIANT flag on their lawn. This flag is at least two stories high! One of my favorite pictures of my girls is them standing in front of the flag.” - Janet Daly

“The fact that I am proud to be a citizen of this amazing country.” - Jose Camilo

“Hearing the National Anthem for sure.” - Erica Godlewski

“I love seeing everyone decked out in all types of USA gear--everyone seems to get along on July 4 and take pride in our Country and it's really nice to see--both in real life and on social media!” - Joy David

“The parades with young and old marching with the flags. Especially, older veterans who smile with pride as you wave and clap - acknowledging their commitment to their country. On Memorial Day, my granddaughter stood in line with a veteran ordering ice cream - I thanked him for his service and he said, ‘It was my honor’” - Carole Wands

“The whole day really does. Spending the day with family and friends, everyone dressed in their red white and blue, the grill going, flags flying everywhere you look, and finishing the night with fireworks set to every song about freedom and America. It's just an all Americana kind of day.” - Audrey Stone