The patriotic spirit is also expressed in shoes and dress accessories. In the US, specially designed shoes for Independence Day wear carry brightly colored prints of the national flag’s design. Even if the stars are not included in the shoes’ display, the color scheme of the flag (red, white, and blue) looks fine for a stride. Dress accessories like hats, belts, sunglasses, pins, necklaces, caps, and socks are also designed for heightening the occasion’s spirit and complementing the outfit’s feel of independence.
It might seem as if costumes made for Independence Day celebration expire after a one-time use. Actually, they do not. There are a number of other occasions on which these items can be used. In fact, these befit any occasion appealing to one’s patriotic spirit. Sporting events, for example, are the right occasions for putting on Independence Day costumes and accessory items. The color scheme of one’s national flag expresses his/her support for the nation’s representative team or players. For birthdays, falling on Independence Day, these costumes prove doubly advantageous: celebrating two joys in a single outfit.
Independence Day celebrations are not confined to following the parades and walks. Independence Day parties are cherished among many citizens and a number of exciting party games have been invented for Independence Day. The one that is equally popular among people of all ages is the Balloon Stomping. Usually, two balloons are blown up for each participant player. One balloon is tied with a string around the ankle of each foot of every player. The game is about trying to stomp on the balloons of other players while saving one’s own balloons. The last player standing with his/her balloon(s) still intact wins the game. It is important for the players, however, not to go overboard while playing Balloon Stomping.
Another popular game for Independence Day is the Red Light, Green Light. It requires a fair number of players, at least 10 to 12, and a fairly large space. The game is about cleverness, attention, and control over one’s movements. It is played by marking two lines at either end of the playing area. One player called ‘it’ is made to stand on one line, called the goal line. Other players stand on the starting line. The player ‘it’ calls out the words “green light” as a signal and the other players start toward the goal line. Shortly afterward, ‘it’ calls out the words “red light” and the other players must stop moving at once. Any player caught moving is sent back to the starting line and the signal is again called out. The first player that crosses ‘it’ on the goal line wins the game.