Independence Day

This is one of my favorite times of the year… Independence Day! I love it because it's a day of picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks, and a reason to fly the American flag. This year Independence Day falls on a Sunday. On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. There are so many celebrations happening throughout Southern Oregon…too many to list, so here’s a website that gives you information on several opportunities in the Rogue Valley including the Red, White, and Boom fireworks celebration in Medford at Harry and David Field. Click here for all the details. This event is made possible by the generous donations of several local businesses including Rogue Federal Credit Union.
Just for fun, I also came across these interesting facts on the Census Bureau and thought I’d share them with you.

The Fourth of July 2010

In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation was 2.5 million.
The nation's estimated population on this July Fourth is 309.6 million.

Flags

In 2009, the dollar value of U.S. imports of American flags was $3.0 million. The vast majority of this amount ($2.5 million) was for U.S. flags made in China. $920,277 was the dollar value of U.S. flags exported in 2009. Mexico was the leading customer, purchasing $333,882 worth.

Fireworks

The value of fireworks imported from China in 2009 was $209 million, representing the bulk of all U.S. fireworks imported ($217 million). U.S. exports of fireworks, by comparison, came to just $42.9 million in 2009, with the United Arab Emirates purchasing more than any other country ($14.5 million).

Fourth of July Cookouts

The chance that the hot dogs and pork sausages consumed on the Fourth of July originated in Iowa is more than 1 in 4. The Hawkeye State was home to 18.9 million hogs and pigs on March 1, 2010. This represents more than one-fourth of the nation's total. North Carolina (9.1 million) and Minnesota (7.2 million) were the runners-up. The odds that your side dish of baked beans originated from North Dakota are about 1 in 3. ND produced 34 percent of the nation's dry, edible beans in 2009. Another popular Fourth of July side dish is corn on the cob. Florida, California, Georgia, Washington and New York together accounted for 66 percent of the fresh market sweet corn produced nationally in 2009. Potato salad and potato chips are popular food items at Fourth of July barbecues. Half of the nation's spuds were produced in Idaho or Washington State in 2009.

So, whether you take to the streets or your backyard this fourth, be safe and enjoy good food, good friends, and this great place we call home – get out and LIVE LOCAL! Oh, and don’t forget the sunscreen – summer has finally arrived!

As a reminder, all Rogue branches and drive-ups will be closed on Monday, July 5th in observance of Independence Day.