07.03
Tomorrow, as all of our students should know by now, is a national holiday in the U.S. and we will not have classes. EC Miami will be closed, but it is a great opportunity for you to join native English speakers at Independence Day events and fireworks displays. Here are some important things to remember on the 4th of July in Miami Beach to have a safe and happy holiday.
1) This is a celebration about the U.S. so you will see many people wearing red, white, and blue and many families having reunions, BBQs, and/or picnics. You can join in the fun too by buying a U.S. flag and watching the fireworks on the beach. The fireworks display in South Beach starts at 9 p.m. and it is best to watch it on the beach. The fireworks are set off near 8th St. and Ocean Drive. There will also be free concerts earlier in the day at the same location. Remember that the bathrooms on South Beach are closed at night, so don’t try to use them around the time of the fireworks!
2) Shooting off your own fireworks is illegal in Florida. If the firework is more than a small sparkler, it is not allowed by law. Any personal firework shot into the air is illegal and the person shooting it could go to jail or have to pay expensive fines. Therefore, you should watch the fireworks display instead of setting off your own. You may see some people shooting off fireworks, but they are not supposed to do this.
3) The classic thing to eat on July 4th is hamburgers and hot dogs because they are super yummy American foods. Find a place to have some of these American classics. Forget your diet for the day!
4) Be careful about alcoholic beverages on the beach. You are not supposed to drink alcohol on the beach. Although many people do, it’s not a good idea for you because there are more police on July 4th.
5) Keep your money, keys, phone, and other personal belongings close to you. The beach will be very crowded tomorrow, so you should make sure you know where your stuff is at all times because someone could steal it.
Have a great celebration and enjoy this piece of American culture! Don’t have too much fun, though. We want to see you here on Thursday!
