I swear….people used to laugh at me when I’d say crazy things like, “Nashville is going to explode one day soon” back about eight years ago. Yet, here we are, a ton of people moving here every year and our festivities are getting bigger and bigger and bigger. Now, it’s recently been revealed that the Music City is indeed home to the most popular 4th of July celebration in the nation. We’ve done it.
We’re #1 We’re #1 We’re #1
Priceline ranked Nashville as the #1 place to celebrate the 4th of July. Music City is the #1 travel destination for 4th of July in the world. (TBH, they don’t celebrate our Independence Day in other countries).
In fact, they say hotel bookings for July 3 thru the 8th has gone up 50% from 2017 to 2018. What’s the reason? Well, the fireworks alone are great. But it’s the music that goes with it. Our fireworks are accompanied by artists like Lady Antebellum followed by the Nashville symphony.
Here are the other cities in the top 5:
- Nashville
- Washington DC
- San Diego
- New Orleans
- San Francisco
All this means to me is reaffirming my steadfast belief to avoid the hell out of the downtown area on the 4th of July.
To me, there’s just something about the idea of the quiet family barbecue on Independence Day. It’s what we always did when I was a kid – grill out, eat some watermelon, buy some fireworks of our own, and just enjoy the night reflecting on life, thankful for the company of our family and neighbors. The 4th of July is just one of those holidays. I recognize it now as an adult, but as a kid, it was all about the fireworks and I simply could not wait for it to get dark so my parents would give me the green light.
That’s what the 4th of July means to me. Well, that…and ice cold Zimas.
But, I gave the whole downtown thing a shot one year, and it’s just too damn much. That was four years ago. I can’t even imagine what it’s like today. Just – the crowds, the expensive drinks, the sweat. When I went in 2014, we watched from the rooftop of Rock Bottom. The fireworks were tremendous after they basically went off right over our heads. I also spent the next three days trying to wash all the remnants of gun powder out of my hair.
Yeah, it ain’t like New Year’s Eve, when it’s cold outside either. You think people are grumpy enough then (and they are – I witnessed a near full-on bar brawl on the middle of 2nd Avenue on NYE one year), you add the heat to the mix and NUH UH – count me out.
I’m perfectly content to grill out, go sit on the shores of Percy Priest Lake, watch the show at Nashville Shores, then enjoy the Summer night walking back to our apartment. I’m a simple guy, I suppose, but don’t get me wrong – I like the Nashville party vibe, and I’m proud to see this city get so much recognition. But, for this old codger, this holiday is for friends and family, not drunk strangers.
I don’t want to be too much of a hater, though, because the fireworks with the symphony is a pretty damn nice touch. Still…that said, I’m watching at home and not in that mass sea of sweaty people with swampass.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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