Top 10 Things to Do on the Fourth of July

Plus: Top Ten list of Patriotic Movies

By R. Leigh Coleman, Christian Post Reporter Sunday, July 03, 2011

The United States is truly a diverse nation made up of dynamic people. Each year on the Fourth of July Americans celebrate that freedom and independence with barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings.

As an exciting nation, packed with innovation and unique ideas, most believe the Fourth of July represents freedom. It is with that freedom we are able to do what we want to do to celebrate the holiday.

In the Bible, John 10:10 tells us, "Through Jesus coming and giving up His life for us, we can have and enjoy life – to the full. We can have it in abundance. Everything of Christ’s nature is available to us. Every good gift and blessing we can know when we are in relationship with Jesus. God wants us to enjoy His creation."

A recent report surveyed thousands of Americans to find out the most popular ideas on how to celebrate the Fourth of July in 2011.

Toptenz.net is one group that welcomes readers to create and submit their own top ten lists. The website also donates millions to charities in need including Autism Research Institute, Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami, and Chronic Disease Fund to name a few.

“As the owner of Toptenz.net I have been very blessed by this little Top 10 List website,” said Shell Harris, founder of Toptenz.net. “It is time to give back to America. Nothing heals the soul like giving and that is what I intend to do.”

Here is TopTenz list of the “Top Ten Places to Celebrate the Fourth of July":

10. Your backyard
(With minimal effort, you can celebrate by sitting outside with friends and family. Maybe put up a flag while humming “God Bless America.” Sparklers are strongly encouraged.)

9. Your neighbor’s backyard
(Again, with a little more effort you can convince your neighbor to let you sit with them in their yard. Bonus points are awarded if you can convince them to feed you.)

8. Philadelphia
(Liberty Bell, Ben Franklin… what else is there to say? This place has history.)

7. A baseball game
(From a Cincinnati Reds press release on MLB.com – “All MLB teams playing on July 4th will be wearing blue “Stars & Stripes” caps. The caps are part of series of national fundraising and awareness initiatives over the July 4th weekend … for Welcome Back Veterans, which addresses the mental health and job needs of returning American Veterans.” Looks like the Atlanta Braves are at home (against Houston) and planning an All American Fireworks Spectacular and the Arizona Diamondbacks are hosting a Military Appreciation Day (they play San Diego). Shouts also go out to the AAA Richmond Braves for their post-game fireworks display.)

6. Any place with a large body of water
(The Founding Fathers adopted the Declaration of Independence in July – in some sweltering heat, no doubt. Therefore it is important that you celebrate in a way they could not, by staying cool. Boating, beaching, water skiing and tubing are good ways to work up an appetite so you can enjoy some corn on the cob and hamburgers on the grill. Plus, beaches, lakes and rivers also afford you the opportunity to see other fireworks displays in the distance.)

5. On the couch, with your remote in hand
(You can catch “A Capitol Fourth” (Washington, D.C.’s celebration) on PBS starting at 8:00 PM, the “Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular” (New York’s celebration) on NBC starting at 9:00 PM and the “Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular” (Boston’s celebration) on CBS starting at 10:00 PM. Plus you can DVR these shows and enjoy them whenever you’re feeling patriotic.)

4. Denver
(Denver is a dark horse. Not known for its 13-original-colonies legitimacy or its proximity to the East Coast, Denver is working its patriotism. There are plenty of free events including the Colorado Symphony Orchestra is playing another free performance on July 6 at Red Rocks featuring “The 1812 Overture.”)

3. New York
(Of course New York is going to go big on the 4th. Besides lots of free concerts, there is Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest (which you can also catch on ESPN). Plus Macy’s does their annual Fourth of July fireworks. Take time to visit "Ground Zero.")

2. Boston
(Fireworks over the Charles River. The Boston Pops playing the “Star Spangled Banner” in the Hatch Shell. A flyover by the Air National Guard. Bostonians baking in the sun all day on the Esplanade to stake their claim to a plot of land for fireworks and music.)

1. Washington, D.C.
(The National Independence Day Parade on Constitution Avenue. The National Symphony Orchestra. Wandering from the WWII Memorial, along the reflecting pool, past the Vietnam and Korean War Memorials and up to the Lincoln Memorial. Setting up on the National Mall to watch the fireworks with the Washington Monument in the foreground.)

(Honorable Mention: Hong Kong – We have never seen so many fireworks in one place.)

Here is a plus: Top Ten Patriotic Movies to watch:

10. The Patriot
9. Top Gun
8. Iron Man
7. Rambo III
6. Team America: World Police
5. Red Dawn
4. 300
3. Air Force One
2. Letters from Iwo Jima
1. Independence Day