How to Spend the Fourth of July in West Virginia

West Virginia celebrates Independence Day in many of the same ways as the rest of the country, with parades, family fun days, races, picnics and cookouts, and of course, fireworks. On July 4, 2006, President George W. Bush saluted veterans at a Fourth of July celebration in Ripley, West Virginia, making national news. While you may not have a presidential address at your West Virginia Fourth of July celebration, you're sure to have lots of good, old-fashioned family fun. Follow these steps to find out how.

Things You'll Need

• Lawn chairs and blankets for viewing fireworks

Instructions

1. Check local newspapers in advance to find out when and where the fireworks and parades will be happening.

2. Plan a family fun day with a visit to a local Fourth of July parade and event.

3. Buy sparklers and fountains if you plan on setting off your own fireworks. Check local regulations to find out what's legal in your town.

4. Participate in a local Fourth of July parade. Many towns have special contests for kids' parades with decorated tricycles, bikes and strollers.

5. Plan a Fourth of July picnic at the beach or a nearby state park.

6. Fly the American flag in front of your house, or mount it on your car for the day.

7. Spend the Fourth of July at Harpers Ferry, one of the more popular venues for fireworks and activities.

8. Have a Fourth of July cookout at home and invite your friends and neighbors.

9. Watch the fireworks at a local fireworks display.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're planning to see the fireworks anywhere, get there early enough to grab some blanket space. Few venues offer reserved seating or chairs.

• Remember that even sparklers can cause serious injuries if they're misused. Supervise youngsters carefully. Never allow young children to play with fireworks.