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America celebrates July 4 with parades, hot dogs, cold beer

The Columbian
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The tall ship Hermione passes near the Statue of Liberty as it leads the Lafayette Parade of ships up the Hudson River in New York's Upper Bay Saturday, July 4, 2015.
The tall ship Hermione passes near the Statue of Liberty as it leads the Lafayette Parade of ships up the Hudson River in New York's Upper Bay Saturday, July 4, 2015. The Hermione is a replica of the 18th century ship the Marquis de Lafayette sailed to the America's with news of full French support for the revolutionary cause. Photo Gallery

The United States marks 239 years as an independent nation on Saturday as it celebrates the Fourth of July with parades, fireworks, naturalization ceremonies, eating contests and music. Here are some highlights and lowlights of Independence Day celebrations across the country:

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PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFULS CAMPAIGN IN PARADES

Parades across Iowa and New Hampshire were clear reminders of the race for the White House: Red balloons promoting “Jeb! 2016,” a tractor draped in a Rick Perry banner and dutiful volunteers holding signs and chanting for their chosen candidates.

Former Govs. Jeb Bush of Florida, Rick Perry of Texas and Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island as well as South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham worked the crowd in Amherst, while Hillary Rodham Clinton marched in a parade in New Hampshire’s North Country. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio spent the holiday in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, as Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley met voters in Iowa.

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NATHAN’S HOT DOG EATING CONTEST

Matt Stonie devoured 62 wieners and buns in 10 minutes to upset Joey “Jaws” Chestnut in the annual hot dog eating contest at Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island, breaking Chestnut’s bid for a ninth straight victory.

Stonie, who finished second last year, beat Chestnut on Saturday by two wieners. Both are from San Jose, California. The third-place finisher ate 35 hot dogs.

Defending champion Miki Sudo won the women’s division by devouring 38 wieners and buns in 10 minutes. She downed four more hot dogs than last year and bested Sonya “Black Widow” Thomas of Alexandria, Virginia, who devoured 31 weiners.

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This story has been corrected to show that third-place finisher in men’s contest ate 35 hot dogs, not 32.

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NEW CITIZENS BEING SWORN IN

Naturalization ceremonies big and small are being held across the U.S.

The director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Baltimore district administered the oath of allegiance to 40 people coming from 27 different countries during a ceremony at The Engineers Club in Baltimore.

In Plymouth, Vermont, 20 people became U.S. citizens at the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site, where the great-granddaughter of President and Mrs. Coolidge sang the national anthem.

Officials say more than 4,000 new citizens will be welcomed in more than 50 naturalization ceremonies across the country from July 1 through July 4.

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MUSIC, CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS ON NATIONAL MALL

A fife and drum corps, parade and concerts on the National Mall highlight the festivities in Washington.

As morning rains cleared, the capital’s Fourth of July parade kicked off. The parade features marching bands, floats and balloons with plenty of red, white and blue.

The National Mall is also hosting the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. The annual festival features the culture of Peru this year, drawing thousands of visitors to the mall before the evening fireworks.

The U.S. Air Force Band performs Saturday evening on the Washington Monument grounds. The big event is the “Capitol Fourth” concert on the west lawn of the Capitol, featuring Barry Manilow and the National Symphony Orchestra before the fireworks.

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FIREWORKS SHOOT INTO COLORADO CROWD, BURN 9

Officials say nine people suffered minor burns during an accident at a fireworks show in Avon, Colorado.

Virginia Egger, the town manager in Avon, says a malfunction caused a fireworks shell to explode in its tube rather than firing into the sky Friday night. She says the misfired shell caused a rack of shells to tip, causing two or three shells to go off toward the crowd.

The accident occurred about 17 minutes into the 23-minute fireworks show over Nottingham Lake, bringing the event to a halt. The annual event attracts about 20,000 people.

The cause of the malfunction is under investigation.

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IN AMERICA’S BIRTHPLACE: CONCERTS, A PARADE AND BEER

Philadelphia started its Fourth of July celebration a little early.

The city’s Liberty Block Party kicked off the festivities Friday near Independence Hall with music on three stages, treats from local food trucks and restaurants and a beer garden.

The Philly Pops performed patriotic tunes Friday night on the Independence Hall steps.

Saturday’s events include a Celebration of Freedom ceremony, a parade through the city’s historic district and a free concert and fireworks on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The Celebration of Freedom marks the 50th anniversary of a protest outside Independence Hall that would be a milestone in the fight for gay rights.

The concert features performances from Philadelphia’s own The Roots, Miguel and Jennifer Nettles.

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BOSTON POPS FEATURE 42ND SHOW

Gospel singer Michelle Brooks-Thompson will perform the national anthem as Keith Lockhart celebrates his 20th year as conductor for the annual Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on Saturday.

The star-studded event is held at the DCR Hatch Cell in the city’s Back Bay off the Charles River Esplanade and will also feature Broadway star Michael Cavanaugh, “American Idol” finalist Melinda Doolittle and “America’s Got Talent” finalist Sons of Serendip, a quartet who met at Boston University.

Drum and bugle corps the Boston Crusaders and the USO Show Troupe will also perform.

Events, which are televised and broadcast live in Boston, begin at 8 p.m. Fireworks start at 10:30 p.m.

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