In this economy you don't have to spend a lot of money to have a fun frugal Fourth of July. The 4th is a great holiday.  No one expects gifts and more often than not, other people organize the entertainment. Having fun without spending much money is a Frugal Yankee's idea of nirvana.
 
It's always best to find out what’s going on in your neck of the woods.  Traditionally most towns sponsor fireworks on the 3rd and 4th. Then there are the requisite parades, races, festivals, music, and more.  Since most towns have web sites, try there first, then buy a local newspaper. If you're coming up dry, give a call to the Chamber of Commerce. Wherever you find something,  its going to be real close. You may even be able to walk to it. In our greater metro area, Boston.com lists almost 100 events, all within 100 miles of Boston. The Frugal Yankee has listed web sites for each New England states to help find 4th of July events. 


Don't just focus on parades and fireworks. July 4th is a celebration of our country's history. In Boston Harbor, the USS Constitution sails out into the harbor for a 21-gun salute and to turn Old Ironsides around, so that it’s berthed in the opposite direction for the next year.
There’s a drum & bugle competition in Bristol RI. There are hundreds of competitions, concerts, and local events. Needham MA is one of many towns that has an old-fashioned kid’s competition for decorated bicycles. Look around, there's a lot happening.
 
Once you've found out what’s going on and decided what event tickles your fancy, plan the trip. If you’re going to festivities in Boston, use the T. If you’re not a regular rider, you may not know how to get around on the T.  Go to MBTA.com, click on “Rider Tools” and use the Trip Planner. This will tell you how to get to your destination and will even estimate how long it takes and what time the next trolley, train or bus comes by. 
 
Even if you’re staying local, see if you can walk or bike.  Parking is often very tight for community events. Besides how much fun will you have if the whole family walks or bikes to an event?
 
A great way to make the day more enjoyable is to invite friends or neighbors. Invite them for a snack before the fireworks or beers after; maybe lunch after the parade. July 4th is one of those non-denominational holidays that brings people together. 
 
No matter how your trip is planned, consider using a back pack. Drinks, snacks, repellent, camera, sunscreen and other essentials can easily fit in. You may want to find out if a local charity or group has a food stall. Supporting them and noshing on a hot dog or three enhances the community feel.
 
Another thing to bring along is a light jacket. Evenings can easily turn windy and chilly. Blankets are also a good idea. If you're driving to the location, a lawn chair could be a good bet. As with any plan, knowing what lies ahead is a good idea.  Check the local weather forecast.
 
It seems everybody has either a digital camera or a cell phone camera. This makes it even easier than ever before to take lots of photos.  Pick out your favorites to print or to share.  Heck, isn't that what Facebook and some of these other social media sites are for?  

Now let's be honest, very few of us are top notch photographers. We may think we have great ideas about composition, but the reality is most of us are 'winging it'. Do a little research.  Just shooting at the sky with automatic settings is unlikely to work well.  Your camera’s manual may tell you how to do it or better yet, research for “how to photograph fireworks.”  It’s tricky, but you can get lovely shots. The Frugal Yankee found one called HOW TO SHOOT FIREWORKS.

Some folks don’t enjoy an evening in the middle of a noisy crowd. Don't despair, enjoying fireworks is still possible. Find a vantage point where you can see the everything, but are a little distance from the main event.  This could be best for toddlers. The noise isn’t as scary and it’s easier to take them home when they’ve had enough.   
 
Before the main event, look up at the heavens. Again do a little research, then point out summer's brightest stars, the big constellations. On July 4th, Vega is high in the east. Altair is far to Vega's lower right, Arcturus is high toward the southwest, and orange-red Antares is much lower in the south upper right of the Moon. Low in the west glows the planet Saturn. If a good pair of binoculars is to be had, the rings of Saturn may be visible.


One word of caution about the Fourth of July and the wee ones, it can be very loud.  Many parades and events feature Revolutionary War companies firing off guns.  Warn the little ones. Some love the noise, others are terrified. If you see the Continental Army preparing to fire, get your child ready for it. Wailing fire engines could also get them wailing in unison.
 
Now comes one of those difficult moments. Kids get a hankering for overpriced souvenirs. Street vendors will do their very best to entice them too. Before heading out, look around and see if there is a flag t-shirt or red, white, and blue hat from last year.  If not, head over to the local store and score some novelties at a fraction of the cost. For example, glow necklaces cost $3-5 from street vendors.  You may find packages of 3 of them for about $1.50. Here's something to consider, buy some of these items AFTER the fourth when the prices are cut 50% or more!
 
July 4th can be a great time for instruction. There is the history of our country and all that it implies, but there is also a financial side. Before heading out, tell the kids there is a budget. They can each buy one thing of their choosing.  Explain how to take a good look at all the choices before a decision is made.  This process is a good life lesson and will also serve the parent form being overwhelmed with countless "I want" pesterings.

July 4th is the celebration of a country, our country. It is a time of communities coming to together. It is a time for families to enjoy a day together. No matter how you decide to celebrate, be safe, be frugal.