PERRYSBURG, Ohio — From eating food to enjoying time with family, there are many reasons why people enjoy the Fourth of July.
"Family and enjoying the nice weather right here on the beautiful Maumee River," said Amy White, while celebrating on Wednesday at the Independence Day Fireworks festivities jointly hosted by Maumee and Perrysburg.
While the fireworks are the star of the show many people at the event say July 4 has a deeper meaning, too.
"We celebrate the country," Jeff Madrzykowski said. "Some of us have served in the military before so we celebrate for them."
Janet Jacobs was on the Perrysburg side of the festivities. She thinks of her late father, a veteran, on the holiday.
"My dad was a Korean War veteran, so we always celebrate for him," she said, while wearing his 30-year-old T-shirt that reads "United States Navy."
"He's a part of us now," Jacobs said. "He was in the Navy, so he had to come with us today too. Excited to wear him."
This holiday even touches those who weren't born in the United States. Pat Turner is from England and moved to the United States to marry his now wife.
"For me, it's a nice time to reflect on our history as well, understand that history isn't always good and that's OK. We learn from it and move on," he said.
Debbie and Bryan Wisbon have been married for over 30 years and have been coming to the fireworks event for years.
"Comradery, the patriotism, I'm an all-American girl," Debbie said. "I'm retired military to flags, everything."
Bryan spoke highly of his wife's military service.
"She served 28 years, two tours in Iraq, so she's done a lot and this means a lot to her," he said.
For a full list of Fourth of July events in the area, click here. For more about the Maumee Music Fest, click here.