The United States celebrates 247 years of independence today. For many Maricopa residents, it’s a day of freedom and family. In recognition of the holiday, InMaricopa chatted with a few of the community’s seniors to see how they celebrated Independence Day in their youth.

Cathy Bailey, 71 

How did you celebrate the Fourth of July when you were younger? 

We used to have a family gathering and cookouts. I lived in the Washington, D.C., area, and it was nice to go down to the Washington Monument and watch the fireworks. Because I grew up there, I thought there was no other way to celebrate the holiday. When you think of being in D.C. with all the monuments and seeing the fireworks go up, it’s a totally different feeling.  

How is that different now? 

Usually, it’s a quiet day for me. I try to sometimes watch fireworks and watch them on TV. It used to be a family celebration, but now family i’s everywhere except here. So, it’s a quiet day.  

Don & Cheryl Carpenter, 76 & 65 

How did you celebrate the Fourth of July when you were younger? 

Cheryl: When I was a kid, my dad would take us to parades and stuff, just to watch them and celebrate with fireworks. In Miami, you’d go out to the airport, line the fence and they’d do all the fireworks off the runways. It’s kind of different.  

How is that different now? 

Don: We just kind of watch the fireworks go off and we stay home because it spooks our dog. Other than that, we kick back, have hot dogs and reminisce about the old days.  

Cheryl: Same thing. I still do wildland fire management, so sometimes I’m not home for the Fourth of July. Sometimes I’m out in other parts of the country.  

Jennie Young, 73

How did you celebrate the Fourth of July when you were younger? 

We would just go outside and watch the fireworks from a distance. In Yuma, there’s a mesa that dropped down to a valley. We lived in the valley, so it was really easy to look up and watch them.  

How is that different now? 

I don’t like all the crowds. I love fireworks, but anywhere you go to see the fireworks, you’re going to be mixed in with lots and lots of people, so I usually stay at home. If I have friends that are going, then I will join them in whatever they’re planning to do.  

Yolanda Fisk, 75

How did you celebrate the Fourth of July when you were younger? 

I grew up in San Diego. My daddy would set up tents on the beach at 5 a.m. and we would get there a few hours later. Our entire family stayed there all day, going in and out of the water, eating breakfast, lunch and dinner. We stayed there to watch the fireworks.  

How is that different now? 

I have my sons here, so we’ve always gotten together. Two of my children have swimming pools, so we just always make sure everyone is together and we cook. My husband and I can see the fireworks from our front room, so I put on music that goes with the fireworks and we watch them until they’re done.  

This content was first published in the July edition of InMaricopa Magazine. | Photos by Monica D. Spencer.

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