Any fun weekend/4th of July plans?

[Louisa]

I love summer weekends...

Just wondered if anyones planning to be with family or do anything fun for the 4th of July weekend/s.  (Guess it could be either weekend since the 4th is right smack in the middle!)

I'm of course going to be at a family cookout w/ girls in tow.... (they have 4th of July bandannas) and on the 8th we're headed to Hartwood Acres over in the North Side of Pitts for their Summer concert series....  you bring picnic blankets, lawn chairs...and your favorite bottle of wine...(dogs in tow!) and relax and enjoy some good music by the River City Brass band (who I'm going to see) and various others through the summer. 

I'm actually meeting with the Pittsburgh Dog Meetup group for this one, but my sister is going along to enjoy the free cheese and crackers provided, along with our wine and relax with the dogs on a blanket to some good ol brass band music!!  I'll try to get a few pics if I can.

Anyone else? Dogs included in the family plans?

oooooh... found this... so I'll post 'er:  http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05124/498449.stm

[JoeF]

I'd like to be there for...
Koko Taylor and the Blues Machine (July 10)

Pittsburgh Blues Festival (July 15-17)
and
especially
Robert Randolph and the Family Band (Aug. 7) Robert Randolph plays high energy postive music. You've probably heard some used  in several commercials. One of my current favorite bands.

[TherapyGolden]

I used to go with my brother to his best friend's house in Michigan for a week or so around the 4th. He always had a BBQ and a big fireworks display. However he moved to Texas 2 years ago so that stopped... This year I'll be gardening and cleaning the basement most of the week. The only fun plans I have are suburban ireworks on the 4th and hopefully going to the Taste of Chicago at some point...

Oh yeah in case anyone wants to see, here are the photos from our Michigan party from 2 or 3 years ago. We went crazy with the fireworks, my brother and I bought some and then his friend decided we didn't have enough so we went to another store and filled up the back of his truck, heh...that was a fun 4th.

Photos:
http://www.chicagocanine.com/july4th/

Fireworks photos:
http://www.chicagocanine.com/july4th/fireworks/
(the last 6 or so are of a board full of fireworks my brother rigged together!)

[BEAU]

We have always had friends over for a BBQ and fireworks, but I'm not sure what we are planning for this year.
As far as the fireworks go, it has been hit and miss. We live out in the country, so can generally get away with the fireworks, but its become more of a safety issue... so we aren't sure what we are going to do now.

[Louisa]

Beau,  lucky you.  When I was younger, we lived more on the outskirts too and lit fireworks all the time for memorial day and the 4th.  My father would take them out in the field and set them off.  Fun times!

Joe, the more the better! I was thinking the Blues Festival too...haven't heard of the others to be honest.

[JoeF]

Beau,  lucky you.  When I was younger, we lived more on the outskirts too and lit fireworks all the time for memorial day and the 4th.  My father would take them out in the field and set them off.  Fun times!

Joe, the more the better! I was thinking the Blues Festival too...haven't heard of the others to be honest.

http://www.robertrandolph.net/     Click on the video link

[patty]

we just got into reno today from yellowstone...spending the day with mike's mom and then he and i and fred are headed back to lost wages (las vegas) but leaving the kids here for about a week. i`m sure when they`re ready to come home someone will feel sorry for 2 young cute kids walking and give them a ride.