Celebrating the 4th of July is an all-day event where people get together with their family, friends and neighbors.  My fondest memories are of celebrations with my family and millions of other Americans in Washington, D.C. on the National Mall.  But, whether you’re celebrating in a small town in Middle America or in the nation’s capital, the day usually starts with a parade, complete with student marching bands, military troops, dancers, costumes and floats.  People are enthusiastically patriotic, often dressed from head to toe in red, white and blue and waving small American flags.  Along with parades, there may be carnivals or fairs.

You can’t have a party without food, and the 4th of July is no exception.  Traditional American-style barbeques or picnics are the norm, with hotdogs and hamburgers and all of the toppings served as the main course.  Then, there are numerous varieties of potato, pasta, and fruit salads.  Side dishes could also include baked beans, corn on the cob, and multiple servings of potato chips and dip.   Since it’s usually hot and humid on the 4th (especially in the nation’s capital), there are lots of cold drinks to cool you down: sodas, lemonade, iced tea, or perhaps an ice cold can of American beer for the adults.  Desserts are always my favorite part of any meal, and on the 4th, ice cream, popsicles, cakes, and big slices of fresh watermelon are abundant.  For some, the 4th of July isn’t complete without the all-American apple pie. 

Between the parades, eating and waiting for the fireworks show, there are lots of fun activities.  Whether it’s playing catch, throwing a football or Frisbee, a backyard game of volleyball, or a card game, there’s a sense of community and camaraderie that abounds. 

After the sun goes down, the moment that everyone has been waiting for finally arrives: fireworks!  You hear the distinct pop of the firecracker, and then the sky is filled with beautiful red, orange, green, blue, and white bursts of color.  The fireworks show is often accompanied by the national anthem and many other patriotic songs.  At the end of a long day of celebration, you finally head home: tired, full, perhaps a bit sunburnt from spending the day outside, looking up at the smoke-filled sky from the night’s fireworks and feeling proud to be an American.

Fourth of July celebrations in Finland were kicked off early this year with an Embassy party on June 23.  Though there were no fireworks, guests enjoyed crayfish from Louisiana and special demonstrations from the renowned Chef John Folse and Company to commemorate the 234th anniversary of the independence of the United States. 

Bon Appetit! Crayfish from Louisiana

Movie director Renny Harlin with Ambassadog Deckard

Kaivopuisto's Lady Liberty

Chef Folse with guests and Louisiana crayfish

I spent the morning at the Cleantech Finland Conference in Lahti. Several very thoughtful presentations were given and I plan to return to get into greater details and specifics on their waste reduction and utilization practices. (Yes I know, it perhaps does not sound exciting, but it really is.)

The conference included lunch followed by a concert at Sibelius Hall – neither of which I could attend due to an already over-scheduled afternoon. So instead, I headed back to Helsinki for the first snow of the season. By the end of the day only about 4 or 5 centimeters had fallen, but wonderful nonetheless. 

What is it about snow? Watch any child and you cannot help see their sense of wonder and delight playing in it, catching snowflakes and of course throwing snowballs. Kids don’t complain that it is cold or that the days are darker. For them, winter isn’t a cause for unhappiness. Rather they revel in the miracle of snow, in the entertainment of seeing their own breath in the frost air and the discovery of the mysteries of the trees now revealed in the absence of leaves. Winter means popcorn by the fire, the beauty of candlelight and piling in under quilts and blankets. Sometimes as adults we focus more on the drudgery of winter than on its pleasures. 

I got to thinking about this because of our dog, Deckard, who simply revels in the cold and snow.  Here he is yesterday afternoon catching snowflakes with his tongue and generally romping without a worry in the world.