I may grouse about what Independence Day has come to represent, but there are things I enjoy about small-town celebrations, too.

Today, the little band shell in the "big park" is a hub for music. There are several superb fiddlers on stage playing various traditional tunes, some bluegrass musicians picking out some standards, and a general sense of fun.

Similarly, the small town where I grew up in Minnesota often had local polka bands playing music at town celebrations, and some towns have had small amateur orchestras playing everything from classical compositions to big band swing.

No matter how you feel about the occasion, if there is local music, check it out. It's a much more fulfilling experience to hear local musicians playing live than it is to listen to processed popular music recordings.