Tally Back Then: Family, fireworks and food on the Fourth of July

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - This might just be the most patriotic Tally Back Then of the year.

A Fourth of July edition of WCTV's year-long look back at Tallahassee's history spans five decades and reveals that some aspects of the American celebration have remained the same over the years.

Family, friends, fireworks, and food are all still very important parts of any fun Fourth of July.

The Florida Memory photo archive contains dozens of snapshots from patriotic celebrations in Tallahassee during the 1960s, from a soapbox derby to potato sack races, to an upside-down water skier on Lake Ella.

Fast forward a few decades later, and WCTV cameras were all over town capturing iconic Fourth of July stories.

"Today we're celebrating America down at Tom Brown Park," an organizer told WCTV in 1994.

Families swarmed the park -as they do now- to enjoy the food and fellowship.

A couple years later, WCTV tagged along for the Killearn Lakes Children's Parade on July 4th. A huge crowd decked in red, white, and blue marched through the neighborhood in 1996.

And in 1998, WCTV was there as a naturalization ceremony took place. One of America's newest citizens, Janet Fournier, told a reporter just how special the day was for her.

"I've been waiting so long for this citizen, I was proud of it. So now I'm an American Citizen," she said.

In 2004, WCTV stopped by a local animal shelter to see how local pups handle a traumatic holiday. One young girl shared what her dog does when the fireworks start.

"Sometimes he tries to jump over the fence and if he's in a cage he starts gnawing on his cage," she said.

That same year, WCTV stopped by a cookout, capturing the delicious sights and setting them to some patriotic music.

The basics of a satisfying Fourth of July have stayed the same, whether celebrated in the '60s, '90s, 2000s, or today.

We want to see your photos and memories from Tallahassee. Click here to submit images to WCTV.