A Memorable 4th of July

The 4^th of July holiday in my family has always had more of a “small town” feel about it. My parents and I usually attend an annual holiday parade held on the main drag of Lincoln, Mont. It’s a quaint little parade but one that I anxiously await all year. I was shocked to hear that this year was its 62^nd running of it.

Since Highway 200 runs directly through town, traffic is actually stopped from passing through for nearly an hour. I always laugh when I see the line of cars building on either end of town. Drivers at the front often get out and angrily confront the police officers directing traffic as to why their holiday travels have been halted. Their utter cluelessness to this Montana tradition tickles me every year.

As if shutting down the highway for its progression doesn’t make Lincoln’s parade unique enough, there are also the tasty handouts. Unlike many parades, that have started prohibiting the throwing of candy, Lincoln’s parade kicks it up a huge notch. Since High Country Jerky, distributed in stores statewide, is produced in a factory just outside town, jerky samples are tossed to eager bystanders. There is also the much anticipated handout of chilled cans of Bud Light and Busch.  In between all the snacks and beverages are bagpipers, vintage cars, baton twirlers and Montana themed floats. A grand time is always had by all.

Unfortunately, this year I did not make it to Lincoln for the parade. Although I did enjoy myself at another small-town Montana tradition: the Livingston Roundup!

In prepping for both the 4^Th of July and the rodeo, I decked myself out Friday morning with red cowboy boots, faded blue jeans and a white tank top brandishing blue hearts and red strips in the shape of the American flag. I got in the car with my fiancé by my side and we were off!

When we finally rolled into Livingston a few hours later we made our way through town to meet my fiancé’s family at Marks’ In-and-Out drive in for an early dinner. Hardly anything seems as American in the summertime as eating burgers at a drive-in. Once we got our burgers we walked across the street to a park to eat at a picnic table in the shade. I think I almost could’ve skipped the rodeo and basked in that little shady patch of heaven the rest of the day.

We eventually made our way over to the rodeo and secured some front row seats. I must admit that I’ve never been a huge fan of rodeos. I like watching all of the horses and such but after 3 hours or more I’m usually ready to bolt. But something about this rodeo….maybe with it being on the actual 4^th of July….was not only more enjoyable but it really made me stop and appreciate being an American.

As the rodeo commenced, a bunch of girls carrying different flags ran full force on their horses into the arena in a dizzying circle of dust and color. Other riders eventually joined in and a group of veterans carried the American flag out into the center of the arena for the National Anthem. I reached up and pulled down the cowboy hat from my head and held it in front of my chest with my right hand. It’s funny because right about then I paused and tried to remember when the last time was I even said the National Anthem. Apparently too long! Saying it though on the day our nation declared its independence certainly felt special though.

Three hours later all of the high-adrenaline events concluded and the cows finally breathed a sigh of relief knowing they were done being chased. The grand finale of the rodeo was a fantastic firework show. A bunch of patriotic songs were played while the fireworks lit up the clear Montana sky and then trickled back downwards like electric rain.  The first song, “God Bless the U.S.A.” by Randy Travis, actually made me tear up a bit. It made me reflect on just how damn lucky all of us here in America are. Sure, things are far from perfect, but they are far better than elsewhere.  And being a woman, I am especially grateful for the privileges I am able to enjoy. I have the freedom to vote, to drive, to marry whomever I desire, to dress how I want, to compete at sports right alongside men, and to speak my mind without fear of retaliation. Being an American, especially a American woman, and even more especially an American woman from Montana is an incredible blessing. Being part of a small-town rodeo in the Big Sky State reminded me of just that. I may have missed my annual parade, but I was all too content for the change up this year.