Summer is Hitty Rose's favorite time of year! And the 4th of July is her favorite summer holiday. It starts early in the morning, with Mother, Grandma, and Hitty Rose packing a huge picnic lunch. Dad and Grandpa hitch up Old Nancy, the horse, to the wagon, and fill it with soft, fresh hay. Grandpa has a collar of bright red flowers for Old Nancy, who tosses her head proudly. Soon, everyone piles into the wagon to head for the celebration in town. Usually when everyone goes to town, they ride in Dad's truck, or maybe Grandma's station wagon. But on special occasions like today, Old Nancy trots them to town.

It's a day-long event, with parades, cotton candy, and Popsickles, a picnic, and ending with fireworks at the Fire hall. Hitty Rose always has a packet or two of Sparklers to wave in the air when the high-school band plays the Stars and Stripes Forever.