WASHINGTON— Students and locals interviewed on American University’s campus Wednesday said they will be celebrating the nation’s 238th birthday this coming Fourth of July with fireworks and barbecues.
D.C. local and American University student, Emily Whitworth, 19, usually has a traditional barbecue with her family, but this year decided to try something different.
Whitworth is going to a rooftop party with friends, and is excited to watch the National Mall firework celebration from the party, she said.
AU student Victoria Prybyl, 20, from Ithaca, New York, has never been in D.C for the Fourth of July, and is excited about celebrating in the nation’s capitol for the first time, she said.
“I am going to the National Mall with the Discover the World of Communication students,” Prybyl said.”[We are going] near the Washington Monument to watch the fireworks.”
American University sophomore Barbara Martinez, 19, plans on spending her Fourth of July by going to a party with her friend from back home in Queens, a borough of New York City.
Martinez, grew up in Queens and remembers previous Fourth of July celebrations spent on top of her apartment building watching the Manhattan Firework celebration, she said. Martinez also bakes with her mom as another part of her Fourth of July traditions.
“She had like this Fourth of July pie specialty,” Martinez recalled. “She made [it] with strawberries and blueberries to look like a flag.”
Some D.C residents are still unsure of their plans however.
“I have nothing concrete yet,” Steve Cross, an American University alum, said.
Cross will spend his Fourth of July either in his hometown of Baltimore or in D.C, but either way, Cross will still cook Baltimore steamed crabs, his traditional Fourth of July barbecue food, Cross said.
In past years, Cross has also traveled between D.C and Baltimore to see firework celebrations. In a “good year” Cross manages to see up to 10 different fireworks shows in D.C or Baltimore, according to Cross.
Fireworks are not for everyone though, according to AU maintenance worker, Ceasar Caicedo, 46. Caicedo does not plan on attending any firework shows or celebrations. Instead, he plans on celebrating the holiday by taking his kids out of town on a camping trip, where they will have a barbecue, Caicedo said.
Jason Lee Carter, a D.C. local, 34, also plans on spending his Fourth of July with his kids and nature, Carter said. He wants to spend his holiday “floating and fishing” along a river located in the D.C area, according to Carter.
For some D.C residents, however, it’s business as usual on the Fourth of July. AU student, Alanna Holstein, 20, will be spending her holiday working as a sales associate in Georgetown, Holstein said.
Construction worker, Gordon Schaeffer, 54, also will be working this July Fourth, but might have a cookout at the end of the day, he said.
The Fourth of July has a range of meanings for residents across the D.C area, but AU junior Alex Mazzarisi feels that friends and family are an important part of the celebrations.
“The Fourth of July means celebrating our country’s independence and a great time to get together with friends and family,” Mazzarisi said. “It’s a great bonding holiday for everyone.”