From the banks of the Delaware River to the boards and beaches at the Jersey Shore and the flag-bedecked grounds outside Independence Hall, the Fourth of July was toasted yesterday with parties and parades aplenty - and with ceremonies marking the historic quest for freedom.
The big bang of the holiday - evening fireworks - was postponed until tomorrow or over the weekend in many communities, from Radnor to Ocean City, N.J., because of the rain and the threat of significant storms last night.
In Philadelphia, people who had gathered for several hours on the Parkway for a parade and concert were told to go home and not wait for fireworks at 10:45 p.m. because of the rain and possible lightning. About 40 minutes later, however, the fireworks began.
Earlier, Mayor Street invoked the importance of liberty at the city's annual ceremony outside Independence Hall, and there was bell-ringing at the Betsy Ross House. In Ocean City, the annual South End Bike Parade drew several hundred participants on bicycles, tricycles, Big Wheels, scooters and wagons draped with bunting, flags, glitter stars and tinsel - while hundreds cheered along the way.
And at Washington Crossing Historic Park in Bucks County, a crowd turned out to watch old-fashioned musket-firing and militia-drilling, and to hear the Declaration of Independence recited by a town crier in colonial garb.
But across the region, the dress of the day was more sweatshirt than bathing suit - thanks to a cool and cloudy day, and the threat of thundershowers well into the night. The chill left beaches fairly empty in Ocean City, but business was brisk along the boardwalk.
Even so, many said it was nice to have a Fourth of July that was not sweltering.
"Not a bad day," said Fred Czupich, visitor-services coordinator at the Fonthill Museum in Doylestown, where a celebration drew about 2,000 people in spite of the weather.
Later, along the Parkway in Philadelphia, thousands turned out in the rain for the Sweet Sounds of Liberty Concert and Fireworks, featuring Hall and Oates and the Philadelphia Boys Choir.
Though the Parkway crowd was a little thinner than in some years, thousands refused to be scared off by the downpour or even by the threat of tornadoes.
"I've been coming here for more than 20 years," said Southwest Philadelphia resident Wendy Gines, who had brought her two grandchildren. "It will take more than a little weather to keep us away."
