There’s no denying that the 4th of July in Wonder Lake will be different this year. Public fireworks generally just aren’t happening this year due to COVID-19. That includes Wonder Lake’s annual 4th of July Parade and Fireworks.

Gathering in large crowds just won’t do when the risk of coronavirus is high. And large crowds are an integral part of Wonder Lake’s traditional 4th of July celebrations. No doubt, next year’s Wonder Lake 4th of July Parade and Fireworks will set standards for the record books. This year, however, you’ll have to find some other way to enjoy the holiday.

They say that the purchase of fireworks by private citizens is way up this year, probably in anticipation of the cancellation of public events. If you’re one of those who have purchased your own fireworks, a word of caution. Please, be careful. In normal years, hospital emergency rooms are filled with people who have blown off fingers, damaged eyes and otherwise harmed themselves with fireworks.

Even when proceeding with caution, you can still enjoy the 4th of July in the year of COVID. You may have to get creative but it can be done. Here are some ideas you may want to consider:

1. Take a drive. Get out of the house. Get in the car and see a little piece of America, even if it’s only in your Wonder Lake backyard. Maybe you and some friends can decorate your cars, trucks and SUVs with patriotic bunting, play some patriotic music and drive up and down the streets of Wonder Lake with your own mini-parade.
2. Have a 4th of July barbeque. You can cook some traditional 4th of July cuisine, such as hotdogs and hamburgers. Or you can go all out on the grill for the holiday with a nice ribeye and a lobster tail. Throw some foil-wrapped potatoes on the grill – maybe some corn-on-the cob and asparagus. Top it all off with 4th of July decorated cake and some ice cream.
3. Watch some patriotic movies in the evening. Some great 4th of July movies include ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington’ and ‘Yankee Doodle Dandy.’ You can probably think of others … but don’t forget the popcorn.
4. Play some games as a family. Monopoly and card games are obvious options. But you might also do a little footwork and come up with a patriotic trivia game: “Who starred in ‘Yankee Doodle Dandy?’ If you can set it up, you might even take the movie out on the deck or in the backyard.
5. Go camping. Getting back to nature is a great way to get in touch with our heritage. The soldiers in the Continental Army usually slept outdoors under the stars. Well, on a sunny, summer day they did – Valley Forge, brrrrrr.
6. Have a patriotic sing along. Is your family musically inclined? Even if you aren’t, singing, strumming a guitar or banging a pot with a spoon has a cathartic effect. On the 4th of July, when you choose the right tunes, it can positively put you right in the mood.

Whatever ideas you come up with, though Wonder Lake won’t have its customary 4th of July celebrations, if you look at this as an opportunity, you may create a memory your family will long remember.