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Monday, July 4, 2011

Celebrate Independence! In Shoreline Too?

Betsy Ross Flag
Why can't Shoreline Celebrate the 4th of July? 

Just asking the question. What could we do in Shoreline to celebrate our independence other than just banning fireworks?


Welcome to the City of Shoreline!
Nice Flag photo on the city's website, but that's about it.

http://www.cityofshoreline.com/index.aspx?page=1

Sure, lot's of folks have BBQ's and head off for weekend getaways. And that's just fine, but in comparison to other cities, the 4th of July in Shoreline looks like any other day, except maybe less traffic. 


Other nearby cities have events, like Edmonds which holds a wonderful parade for grown-ups and kids.
Kenmore and Edmonds have their own fireworks shows.  Seattle of course has a big fireworks show paid for by the community. On July 4th in 1776, in Philadelphia, at Independence Hall,  the 13 Colonies declared Independence from Great Britain.  Here is a quote from the site www.OurDocuments.gov
The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It was engrossed on parchment and on August 2, 1776, delegates began signing it.
Shoreline could do something to celebrate, even in a small way.  We declared our own independence in
1996. That was the 220th Anniversary Year of our Nation's Independence.  We do Celebrate Shoreline, which is great, but can't we also do something to Celebrate America?


Think about the courage it took for the Founding Fathers to sign the Declaration of Independence! 
Could we do something to honor it?


So, it wouldn't have to be paid for by the City, or not much. I bet we have lots of businesses who are patriotic.


Some ideas: 


• An Independence Day Concert?
• A Service Day? Park or beach clean-up? 
• A Reading of the Declaration of Independence? Post it?
• A Veterans Event?
• Decorations and Flags?
• Bike rally or Walking Race on Interurban Trail?
• Cook off, community BBQ?
• Baseball game?

How about a history contest? Or a pie contest? Something?  


Come on Shoreline - let's celebrate the 4th of July and Democracy! 


Click Image to Enlarge
The Declaration of Independence
"Drafted by Thomas Jefferson between June 11 and June 28, 1776, the Declaration of Independence is at once the nation's most cherished symbol of liberty and Jefferson's most enduring monument. Here, in exalted and unforgettable phrases, Jefferson expressed the convictions in the minds and hearts of the American people."
It is of course, on display at the National Archives.

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration.html



Just Sayin! Why not?

5 comments:

  1. I think all of those suggestions are great ideas! It is time we did our own 4th celebration. We're a big, grown-up city now.

    By the way, we also need a farmers market in Shoreline. Could we possible rent the parking lot at the old Bingo Hall? Just a thought...

    How about a Trader Joe's in Shoreline? That would be cool.

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  2. Thanks Janis! Good thoughts!

    Janet

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  3. Hi Janis,
    I guess you don't know about the two UW guys working with the city on a farmer's market. Here is a link to their website: http://shorelinefarmersmarket.blogspot.com/

    And here is a link to a recent article on Patch: http://shoreline.patch.com/articles/uw-grads-planning-farmers-market-for-shoreline-town-center

    It's very exciting! I'm surprised Janet hasn't mentioned it.

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  4. The Farmers Market idea IS very interesting. I have mentioned before the potential issues about a farmers market at Town Center and the profusion of them in the Seattle Area. I think the Ridgecrest site would be a good temporary site, but the UW grads want it at the Town Center.

    As a vendor at 3 well run farmers markets in Seattle, I am very familiar with the many issues they will face. Not the least of which is are there enough farms and farmers to fill all of them, and enough days in the week for so many, so close? Will the Shoreline community show up at the windblown site at Town Center, every week in sufficient numbers? Is there an organization that is viable to support it?

    These are just some of the important questions to answer before starting one.

    I'm at Colombia City Market tomorrow, Lake City on Thursday, and UW on Saturday. Come see us, and come shop.

    Janet

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  5. I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels Shoreline should do *something* for Independence day. Maybe even a little fireworks show off Richmond Beach, over the Puget Sound, seems how personal fireworks are banned here.

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