The Fourth of July brings things around the region like boat parades (such as the longtime cruise on Lake Mallalieu by longtime residents), car shows and fishing contests (like the many around the area all summer), and live wrestling shows (OK, we don’t know about that one). But for what specifically is going on around Hudson and the immediate vicinity …
— This is a case of www.HudsonWiNightlife.com doing “breaking news,” such as it is, and you don’t always see that. When out for a walk toward the end of the afternoon on The Fourth, there started a drizzle that slowly built to a bit more, and there were foursomes and fivesomes of people who audibly shreaked their surprise and quickly packed up grills and the accompanying equipment and hurried inside, as the showers of the day continued. Minutes later, and just down the block, that didn’t keep the people from out of town, (who apparently have a greater tolerance for rain), from continuing to stream into That Zappa Show, which has probably been around since the ’70s, and buy fireworks.
— The question of the day around that time continued to be what holiday celebrations would continue to be held, and the biggest local question probably was the status of the Stiilwater fireworks, which seem to be more revered than what Hudson has to offer. The discussion actually began a week or two ago when the old lift bridge was against the center of the discourse, (for maybe the last time if it actually does fall off into the St. Croix River), as flooding meant the water level was again creeping up toward its bottom deck, and patio decks on the Minnesota side by the bars were again beyond being just a little wet.
— The St. Paul Pioneer Press listed its 22 best metro fireworks displays today. Stillwater was among them, but was given the least number of words of any.
— Public television has been trying to look more hip, which was shown by the music selections made for their fireworks concert coverage, heavy on the party aspect of celebrate America’s birthday. To the point where they had a performance by, of all people, Jimmy Buffett early on. But there was not a showing by the local musician who is a champion of trop rock and of Buffett covers in particular, having done at least one CD release party — and quite a party it was — at Dick’s Bar and Grill. (I forget his name; maybe I myself have been emulating Buffett too early into this festive Fourth).
— But of course there has been extreme heat, too, and not for the holiday unfortunately, so there is no word yet on whether this lately “special,” such as it is, is still moving forward on The Fourth. A late night visit to Burger King revealed that the air conditioning was out, but don’t worry, they were making it up to their customers, by offering — as a sign on the front counter so prominently said — a free glass of water with ice. Uhm, won’t that normally be available and free, I’m assuming without fee, anyway?
— And with this being the day it is, there are “festivities,” and you know what that means in Wisconsin. But what is your drink of choice? The sign at Village Liquor in North Hudson has asked the question, glass (or should we say mug?), or chalice? That was doubled up by the notation advertising a coming event at Historic Casanova Liquors (we love the first word, since this holiday goes way back in the annals), “He said beer, she said wine.” Enuf said.
— But this being the all-American extravaganza, there again is politics to be discussed. We’ll start with Sarah Saunders, who as press secretary to The Donald is not nearly as believable as her journalism counterpart with the same last name on late night sports TV, being heckled while out to dinner. It has been pointed out that she and her date loaded up on “free cheese.” Seems its a good thing that Trump actually carried Wisconsin, the place that free lunch came from, in the elections; I don’t think Hillary would have gotten away with that. With that said, there was the news that Harley Davidson — not just the cheese industry —Â might be among those most hurt by the recent tariff restrictions put in place by The Prez, even though it was This State that was among those most responsible for putting him in office. Don’t think Trump will get a complementary motorcycle ride(s) like fellow Republican Tommy Thompson did while governor.