WASHINGTON- Many American University summer students and faculty members shared their favorite Fourth of July memories as they prepared for one of the country’s most celebrated holidays.
Liam Toohey, an American University library employee, is planning on visiting a friend’s house and going to a local park to watch fireworks. Toohey’s favorite part about going to the park last year was watching the fireworks from the top of a hill.
“If you get up far enough, you can see around the surrounding areas,” Toohey said.
Toohey’s favorite memory of the Fourth of July is when he and his friends got stuck in traffic on their way to see a fireworks show.
“When I was 21, we got stuck on the Baltimore Beltway and everyone decided to get out of their cars and watch from there,” Toohey said.
John Douglass, a Washington D.C. native and AU School of Communication professor, remembers watching the National Mall fireworks from the Ellipse, a piece of land in front of the White House.
“I enjoyed hearing the reverberation of the fireworks off the Commerce Department,” Douglass said.
While many may have fond memories of the Fourth of July, some memories remind families to be careful, especially around fireworks.
“We tried to light a sparkler and it popped on me and I got burned,” said Shannon Kamara, who works at the AU Bookstore.
Erica Rush had a similar dangerous experience.
“When we were watching fireworks, my cousin decided to jump off the ledge and landed on his face,” Rush said.
Along with watching fireworks and spending time with friends and family, barbeques are also a popular way to celebrate the Fourth of July and bring back some of the best memories, Kamara said.
“We have barbeques and let the kids watch the fireworks,” Kamara said. “The food doesn’t matter, as long as it is off the grill.”
Overall, D.C residents look forward to making new memories during their Fourth of July celebrations on Friday.
“I like the idea that we get a chance to come together and enjoy the idea of America instead of the ideology,” Toohey said.