EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA

Merrimack Valley

Higher purpose of Fourth not lost on revelers

By Paul Tennant
ptennant@eagletribune.com
Published: July 5, 2009

Attired in a red-and-white-print blouse and blue jeans, Lisa Fitzgibbons of North Andover was dressed for the occasion.

An avid runner, she started the day yesterday by running the Fourth of July 10-kilometer race in North Andover. Then she returned to the Common with her two children, Will, 7, and Kate, 4, to enjoy the festivities: All sorts of races, a dunk tank provided by the firefighters, pony rides, face painting (of course) and plenty of food.

"I like that it's a nice meeting place for kids and families," Fitzgibbons said of the North Andover Independence Day celebration. "There are fun things for kids."

However, Fitzgibbons pointed out there's more to the Fourth than barbecues, rides and fireworks.

"We have an amazing country and it is a privilege to live here," she said.

The Fitzgibbons were just one of thousands of families across the Merrimack Valley celebrating all things American yesterday. From parades to parties, pancakes to picnics, the respite from dreary weather lead to many a happy reveler.

Over in Haverhill, Tom and Colleen Ferrarini of Bradford brought their two daughters, Gabriella, 2, and Sophia, 5, to the pancake breakfast at Winnekenni Castle.

With patriotic music playing in the background, they accompanied their young daughters as they participated in a short, "Anything with Wheels" parade through the castle. Gabriella pedaled a small tricycle while Sophia rode her scooter. Both the tricycle and the scooter were bedecked with patriotic decorations.

"We have fun and the kids love it," said Colleen, who started bringing her family to Winnekenni on the Fourth two years ago.

"It's a remembrance of our liberty and freedom and the great things we have in this country," Tom Ferrarini said.

"I hope they remember the soldiers who are not with us, because they are either in Iraq or Afghanistan," Colleen added. "They are there so we can do these things."

At Phillips Academy in Andover, the teenage students enrolled in the summer session spent the morning in class, even though yesterday was not only a national holiday, but a Saturday. In the afternoon, however, the motivated young people enjoyed a field day on the front lawn at Phillips. They played soccer, tossed Frisbees and footballs and generally had a good time hanging out with friends.

Chinar Raul, 15, who aspires to become a writer, called the Fourth "an amazing time to celebrate our independence," which, she noted, began when a few colonists rebelled against British rule in 1775. Chinar, who lives in a suburb of Chicago, said there are "patriotic events everywhere" in Illinois.

She and her friends, Jen Yam, 16, of Saugerties, N.Y., Abby Gomulkiewicz, of London, and Adanna Oraedu, of Memphis, Tenn., all commented on America's ethnic and cultural diversity.

The Fourth of July, Abby said, "is what brings us together."

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