One of my favorite things about Modesto

It's no great secret that Modesto isn't always my favorite place.  But, at this one time of the year, every year, there's no place I'd rather be.  The 4th of July in Modesto is 100% hometown grown.

We start out our fourth of July celebration every year, for the last 16 years with a trip to Moband's concert in the park at our very own Mancini Bowl in Graceda Park.

We play games, eat good food, visit with good friends and enjoy a (hopefully) cool night in the park.

We listen to some patriotic music with a huge crowd of other people

And then we get to my favorite part--the salute to the armed services.  They play a medley of songs from all the armed services.  As they play the song from that particular branch anyone in the audience who has served in that branch of the military stands up.  It makes me cry every year, as those elderly (and some not so elderly) veterans so proudly stand and salute the flag.  It doesn't get any more patriotic than that. 

Happy Fourth of July!