ExPat Fourth-how do you do it?

The last time I was an expat on the Fourth I lived in Central America and was attached to the US embassy through my then husband. Our pre-teen son was with us and we were part of a large community of fellow expats, so we organised in small groups and celebrated American style at a few of our homes. We BBQ'd, had the stereo going until time to turn on the Boston Pops concert...it wasn't all that different than any other Fourth except buying the food and fireworks required the ability to speak Guatemalan.

This time around, I am married to a Scotsman, my son is in the US, a father of his own school-ager, and I'm not attached to any large expat community. It will be a very different Fourth for me this year-quiet, low key, and certainly no flag-waving or fireworks in the forecourt! I will be speaking with my son and grandson, and probably try to check out the website for the Boston Pops and the celebrations in DC.

I'm wondering how other American expats without a group of fellow American expats to at least 'lift one in honour of Old Glory' are dealing with being away from the US on the Fourth? Does it matter all that much to people anymore? Will you be hosting a BBQ or other party, or will you stay as low-key as possible?

ETA: I put this thread in this forum specifically because of the erm, unique nature of celebrating/not celebrating the Fourth whilst living in the UK, and would love to see a discussion develop.

[Bevdeforges]

Funny you should raise this question now. This is the first time in YEARS I have been back in the US for the 4th of July and it's really kind of weird.

Basically, nobody I know back in France does much of anything for the 4th of July. And actually, no one does very much in France for the 14th of July (the French national holiday) either.

For a few years I was active in one of the American expat groups in Paris and when I was on the board, I used to get invited to the party at the US Ambassador's residence. Very nice, very swanky lawn party - but usually not on the 4th, but on a more convenient day before or after. Then came all the security in the wake of 9/11 and rumors of evil plots against the US Embassy in Paris and I decided it wasn't worth the trek into the city.

Am looking forward to my first 4th of July in a long time (fireworks and a party with high school friends Sunday night and then 2 parades on Monday). But that will probably do me for the next few years to come.
Cheers,
Bev