Authored by John Haughey via The Epoch Times,

Americans are projected to travel in record numbers, spend more than ever, and endure searing temperatures and violent thunderstorms in many areas when they commemorate the nation's 248th Independence Day on Thursday.

Heat and storms aside, they will, nevertheless, celebrate.

From Boston's Harborfest to San Diego's Big Bay Boom, from Seattle's Seafair to Miami's Celebration in Peacock Park, on small town Main Streets and in neighborhood backyards between, there will be patriots on parade, grills blazing, music in the air, and fire in the sky on July 4.

The red, white, and blue festivities will range from the traditional, such as Philadelphia's Fourth of July Jam—"the largest free concert in America"—to the quirky, including "Best Tail Wag" in Bryson Creek, North Carolina.

There will be rodeos—the Cody (Wyoming) Stampede—muskets and cannon in historic reenactments in places like Put-In-Bay, Ohio, a full slate of Major League Baseball games on tap, and, of course barbecues where, according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, more than 150 million hot dogs nationwide will be consumed.

But Joey Chestnut won't be eating any, at least not competitively. For the first time in 19 years, the 16-time champion won't be woofing down dogs—he ate 62 in 10 minutes in 2023—in the annual July 4 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York.

Mr. Chestnut was banned from defending his title after signing a sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods, a rival brand that sells plant-based hot dogs.