Have a Happy and safe July 4th weekend. Support and enjoy local events. Keep our pets safe!

July 4, 1776, the date we celebrate our independence from Britain and Democracy was born.  Please CLICK HERE to view the special July Fourth edition of the South Dade Updates e-blast for some listings of area celebrations. There are many great neighborhood and regional events going on so plan ahead, have fun and stay safe!

This is a holiday to celebrate, the day we celebrate the birth of our great nation, the creation of the greatest system of freedom and democracy. All of this occurred due to the great physical and financial sacrifice of the founders of this nation, the brave men and women of yesterday and today who have sacrificed so greatly to ensure the traditions bestowed by our remarkable founders. We owe them vigilance, and the willingness to defend the democracy they have passed on to us.

Independence Day has been celebrated since 1776.  But do you know the year that July 4 officially made a Federal Holiday?  Would you believe 1941? Check out the History.com page regarding July 4, for additional information.

Let us continue to look to a future that belongs to all of us - a future that ‘we, the people’ have the power to create.

I wish you all a wonderful holiday, and hope that the day’s happiness reminds us all of the importance of the Fourth of July. 

Let's not forget about our pets this holiday weekend. It Will Be a Stressful Evening For Them. Pets and fireworks don't mix. Plan now to keep your pet safe. CLICK HERE to view some simple pet safety tips posted on the July 4th South Dade Updates E-mail blast.

Celebrations will occur throughout our community – there are many neighborhood block parties and bike parades and picnics on the beaches and in parks. CLICK HERE to view the e-mail blast listing of some events in our area. Area events will include flyovers from area residents flying planes from the Wings Over Miami Air Museum. Start your July 4th with a quick visit to Wings Over Miami Air Museum to watch the planes take off for a morning flight. In celebration of July 4th, there will be a special admission discount. Of course, as always, active duty military and retirees enter for free.

Weather permitting (no rain allowed!), a trio of WWII era planes will be  leaving the museum at promptly 10:30 a.m. and will be returning to the hangar around 11:30 a.m. - these planes are single radial engine trainers.

The museum will open at 9:30 a.m., so once the pilots finish their pre-flight briefing, they will be available to meet and greet museum guests.  The museum will be closing early at  3:00 p.m. on the holiday.

Bring a camera for your opportunity for a close-up with several visiting planes that are not normally in the hangar. 

FIREWORKS SAFETY Please be smart if you plan on being your own pyrotechnician CLICK HERE and review the "Fireworks Safety" brochure put out by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue’s Fire Prevention Division. Have fun and be safe.

Happy Independence Day – 2013