Staff Writer

Food, fireworks, fun and family are all typical ingredients for celebrating the Fourth of July, and many Pike County residents are getting ready to celebrate the holiday in a variety of ways.

William Allen of Troy is getting ready to spend a relaxing day of by

the pond. "I’ll be doing some fishing, and barbecuing with my family," Allen said.

"For me this is a day to celebrate our freedom and to be thankful of how far we’ve come as a nation."

Cooking out is

common theme in many people’s holiday plans. B.B. Palmer of Troy also plans on barbecuing.

"We’ll be cooking out and probably try and make it to the city fire works," Palmer said.

For many, the Troy city fireworks show has become a Fourth of July tradition.

"I’ll be enjoying the city fireworks show with my family," Sherry Helms of Troy said.

"Its something that we’ve been doing for several years now."

"We usually get together with family and have ice-cream before we go," Helms said.

Some people plan on getting out of town for the holiday. Bud Casey, from Troy, plans on Spending the Fourth at the beach in Panama City- eating fish chowder.

"Its an old tradition that we’ve been doing for about twelve years," Casey said.

Each year he gathers with a group of friends at the beach to celebrate the fourth with a bowl of chowder.

Other people prefer to stay home with family during the holidays. Hassie Green of Goshen plans on spending the day barbecuing with family at her home.

"We’re going to have ribs, chicken, hamburgers and all the trimmings," Green said. "After we eat we’re going to relax and put on some ‘oldie goldie’ music."