July 4th is a time for celebration and reflection. Behind the fireworks, the apple pie, the parades, and the fellowship is an idea, a principle that has reshaped the world. That very simple and very profound idea is that all human beings have value, given to them at birth by Nature or God, depending on how you believe.

It means we are valuable enough to choose our own government, choose our occupation, choose who to love and where to worship and where to live, valuable enough to pursue our dreams and do what makes us happy. This one, simple idea is the bedrock principle that our entire nation is built upon.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

For 246 years, we've striven as a nation to honor that value. In many ways we have fallen short, but we haven't stopped trying to achieve the nation Thomas Jefferson envisioned when he wrote the immortal words of the Declaration of Independence. Please come out and celebrate this great nation with us. Come out to witness our America the Beautiful Parade and enjoy the Patriotic Freedom Festival at Gough Park and remember what it is we're celebrating. At it its heart, what we're really celebrating is each other.

The Flag raising ceremony will start at 9 am in Gough Park.

The Parade will begin at 10 am and start at Pope St. and 13th St. The parade will turn left on College Ave. and right on Bullard St. The parade will continue to E. Broadway where it will take a left and then a left again on Hudson St. The parade will end at Hudson and 13th St.

Music at the Patriotic Freedom Festival will start at 11 am in Gough Park with the Illusion band and be followed by our own Silver Stompers Dance group. The Siempre Band will then play out the day. Come out, bring your friends and family. Come enjoy a day of fellowship and togetherness. Be sure to stop by the Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce tent. We look forward to seeing you.