Pop Goes the Culture

Fun for the Fourth! 2010

 

Large booms and bursts of light in the sky, giggling children running around in flip-flops with sparklers in their hands, the hiss of the grill as juicy goodies are cooked up or simply the company of family and good friends - there's no reminder of the many freedoms we enjoy quite like the Fourth of July. There's plenty of festivities and goings-on happening in our area and below you'll find a list of 'em (in alphabetical order, of course). And remember to check back since this list will be updated as info comes in.

Just so you know, dusk is usually when it starts to get dark, right around 9:45 to 10 p.m.

By the way - what freedoms are you grateful for the most? Free speech? Family and friends? Tell us!

Have a safe and happy Independence Day!

Arlington - Fireworks will start at dusk over Arlington Community Park on Friday, July 2nd.

Bowling Green - Fireworks will start at dusk near Bowling Green State University's Doyt Perry Stadium on Sunday, July 4th.

Bryan - Bryan will celebrate a little early on Saturday, June 26th when they set off their fireworks display from Bryan Recreational Park at 10 p.m.

Columbus - The Midwest's biggest fireworks display turns 30 this year and will take place Friday, July 2nd at 10 p.m. The fireworks will be shot off over the Scioto River from Veterans Memorial Bridge after a day of food, entertainment and more starting at 11 a.m. Visit www.redwhiteandboom.org for more details.

Findlay - The Hancock County Fairgrounds will open Saturday, July 3rd at 5 p.m. for a day of food, music, fun activites and fireworks! Two stages will be present for rock and gospel music with gospel music starting at 5 p.m. Fireworks will begin at dusk (around 9:45 - 10 p.m.). Rain date is July 5th.

Fostoria - Fireworks will light up the skies Sunday, July 4th at dusk over Meadowlark Park. Festivities at the park start at 2 p.m. and include music, games, food, a cornhole tournament, "Fostoria Idol," a hot dog eating contest and more.

Fremont - Fireworks will fill the sky at Rodger Young Park at dusk on Sunday, July 4th. A parade will be held earlier that day through downtown with lineup starting at 4 p.m. and the event to follow at 5 p.m.

Kenton - An Independence Day parade will take place at 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 4th at the Hardin County Fairgrounds. Fireworks will be displayed that night at dusk at the fairgrounds.

Lima - Lima's Star Spangled Spectacular fireworks will take place at 10 p.m. on Sunday, July 4th. A Freedom 5K Walk/Run will take place along with food booths, music, games and more throughout the day. Visit www.lima4th.com for more details.

Maumee/Perrysburg - Fireworks will be set off from the Maumee/Perrysburg bridge at dusk on Saturday, July 3rd. Fort Meigs in Perrysburg will also offer activities for the whole family from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 3rd and 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday July 4th including period hands-on activities, musket and rifle demonstrations, a kids "mini-militia" and more.

McComb - Friday, July 2nd will be the night that fireworks light up the sky over McComb. The show will start at dusk at the McComb Village Park. There will also be free admission at the swimming pool, food vendors and a DJ and karaoke beginning at 6 p.m.

Napoleon - Fireworks will take place at Glenwood Park on Sunday, July 4th at 10 p.m.

Oak Harbor - Fireworks will light up the sky at dusk on Saturday, July 3rd over the Portage River near Mill St. downtown.

Oregon - Fireworks will start at dusk on Sunday, July 4th at dusk over Oak Shade Grove.

Port Clinton - Fireworks will start at dusk Sunday, July 4th at Waterworks Park.

Put-In-Bay - Fireworks will be launched over the bay on Sunday, July 4th at dusk. A great view of the show can be had from Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial and the surrounding lawn.

Sandusky - A Stars & Stripes Celebration with food, games and more will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Washington Park and downtown Sandusky. Fireworks will be Sunday, July 4th at 10 p.m. over Sandusky Bay courtesy of Cedar Point.

Sylvania - Centennial Terrace, 5773 Centennial Rd., will light up on Saturday, July 3rd at 10 p.m. with fireworks.

Tiffin - Hedges-Boyer Park will host Independence Day activities, featuring musical entertainment by Rusty Vinyl from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Other activities will include a cornhole tournament for children and Gatorade Pong for ages 18 and older at 3 p.m., an adult cornhole tournament at 5 p.m., and a pet parade at 5:30 p.m. Kid’s games will feature Big Wheel races for ages 5-8 at 6 p.m., a water balloon toss for all ages at 6:30 p.m., and a money hunt for ages 11 and younger at 7 p.m. Pool games will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Fireworks will begin at 10 p.m., followed by a movie under the stars at 10:30 p.m.

Toledo - "Red White KABOOM," a three-day event, will end with fireworks at the Downtown Riverfront at 10:15 p.m. on Sunday, July 4th. Starting at noon on Friday, July 2nd, the Northwest Ohio Restaurant Association will present Taste of Toledo. A battle of the bands will be presented Friday and Saturday and several regular concerts will take place. For more information visit http://www.redwhitekaboom.com.

Upper Sandusky - On Saturday, July 10th, a barbeque dinner will be served 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Mid Ohio Chiropractic, 714 N. Sandusky Ave., Upper Sandusky. Fireworks then be set off at dusk from Mid Ohio Chiropractic.

Wauseon - The city of Wauseon will celebrate our nation's independence Friday, July 2nd at Dorothy B. Biddle Park. Events will start at 5 p.m. and features free food, a "Bring Your Own Kite Flying" competition, face painting, a water balloon toss, a tribute to our military and more. A special concert featuring "Nothing Fancy" will take place from 8 to 10 p.m. Remember to bring your own blankets and lawnchairs!

If you have any additions or updates you'd like to add to this list, contact Jason at jasonsmith@thecourier.com

Ali Fedotowsky, Who Are You?

 

The Bachelorette, Ali Fedotowsky

Here are the things I know about current Bachelorette Ali Fedotowsky: She's 25. She grew up in a small town in Massachusetts. Until becoming The Bachelorette, she was living in San Francisco and working as an advertising account manager for Facebook. She is career-oriented. She claims to have fallen in love with former Bachelor Jake Pavelka during her stint as a contestant on his season of The Bachelor. She likes to eat lobster and oysters. And that's about it.

When I think of all the seasons of this series I've watched, I can't remember ever feeling so utterly in the dark as to who The Bachelor or Bachelorette is. Next to being career-oriented (um, except she quit her job to be The Bachelorette), I don't recall a single passion or hobby of Ali's. Maybe cuddling. But seriously, when have we ever heard Ali speak about the things she cares about, next to finding love and her (completely ambiguous) career ambitions? What are her distinguishing qualities and, dare I ask, what makes her so extraordinary in the eyes of ABC's producers?

I'd like to give them the benefit of the doubt and trust that Ali is more than just cute and fun-loving. If we are to buy into the belief that she is such desirable wife material that 25 dashing young strangers would be eager to put a ring on her finger by the season finale, then please, ABC, show us what makes Ali special. Show us her admirable qualities of the non-physical variety (I'll admit her abdomen is awe-inspiring, but come on).

So far, this season's footage of Ali has provided viewers with virtually no insight into the depth of her character, with one exception: on her one-on-one date with Hunter in episode three, Ali said her father sacrificed his dreams so that her mother could pursue nursing school, and that watching this play out between her parents compelled her to strongly pursue her own career.

A couple of the potential suitors this season seem both genuine and interesting, like Chris L. (from Mass. like Ali; is family-oriented; has a tattoo of the signature of his mother, who passed away) and Roberto (from S.C.; speaks multiple languages and is well-traveled; enjoys salsa dancing). On ABC's webpage for The Bachelorette are fun facts on each of this season's men. We can learn their favorite books; what they like to do for fun; their greatest achievements; whom they admire; even what they would bring to a desert island. No such information is provided on Ali; we are only made aware that she is a "beautiful, energetic, charismatic career-oriented woman."

Why, with two hours per week of air time, can ABC not be bothered to show us more of who Ali is? Amid all of the show's fantastical date activities and staging, it is the emotionally honest interactions between people, the moments that put the "reality" in "reality show," that keep me watching. To put it simply, does Ali do anything other than laugh?

-Linsey