Dear Bel Air,
I have been remiss in not telling you how much I loved spending the Fourth of July with you when I lived within your borders from 1978 to 1987. The Fourth of July was always my favorite day. Every year was a little different. This is a jumbled recitation of my memories. I remember spending the night before in the woods catching frogs for the jumping contest. Waking up early on the Fourth and riding my bike to the the corner of Singer road and old route 24 to meet the rest of the Hearthside Bicycle Club for the morning ride to Bel Air High School for the pancake breakfast. I can close my eyes and taste those delicious pancakes and sausages right now. There is nothing better than spending time with good friends eating great food! After breakfast it was off to the starting line up to prepare for riding in the parade. We chatted about a few fun moves we would try. Making jokes about being a precision cycling team. Then we would ride in circles and figure eights and wave while we were riding. We really were a precision team. The parade was so much fun. I have to admit I loved all the cheers! People would yell out my name and cheer as I rode by. On the Fourth I felt like I was part of the community; part of Bel Air. Then it was off to the races. COBRA would always have a race on the 4th. One year I surprised myself and actually won my race. I remember spending the afternoon eating hamburgers and hotdogs from the grill. Sweet Silver Queen corn. Onward to the afternoon festivities! The frog jumping contest was a high point. I hope those frogs had fun because it was usually pretty hot. I loved watching the little kids have so much fun. Attending more picnics and visiting friends. Listening to the Bel Air Town Band. Appreciating John Philip Sousa...Time for Fireworks!! Thousands of people would crowd into the grounds of the High School. Usually I hated crowds, but on the Fourth of July it was glorious. I saw so many faces of people I knew and loved while I roamed through the crowd. Finding a space with friends to sit and then after it got dark the world's greatest firework display of all time! That is how I remember it.
Thank You Bel Air Maryland. I love you on the Fourth of July!
Evan
