By Danny Bower
danny@newsroom.byu.edu
Stadium of Fire or mom's apple pie?
Some students face a difficult choice when deciding what to do on the Fourth of July and the preceding weekend. While Provo and BYU provide opportunities for fun during Independence Day, many students take the opportunity to go home and spend the holiday with family.
'I've done both. Last year I went to the stadium, and it was fun, but this year I am excited to see my family,' said Shea Taylor, 22, from Caldwell, Idaho majoring in zoology.
Taylor said deciding to go to school during the summer influenced his decision to spend time with his family.
'Spring and summer semesters are so busy -- I just don't have a chance to go home very often. And since the Fourth in my family is a get-together holiday, I wanted to go home and see everyone,' Taylor said.
Taylor isn't the only one opting for the intimacy of a family barbecue over grandiose firework festivities. Timothy Cannon, 24, a senior from New Brunswick, N.J., majoring in zoology won't be able to travel home, but he will be able to spend the holiday with family in Utah.
'I'm going to spend Fourth of July with my sister and her family in Sandy,' Cannon said. 'I love going to BYU, but sometimes I just want to get out of Provo. The Fourth gives me chance to get away for a couple days.'
Even students from the immediate area are looking forward to spending the time at home and are grateful for the opportunity to take advantage of the festivities and enjoy their family.
'Its cool for me. I get the best of both worlds. We usually have a family picnic in the canyon and play games during the afternoon. Then, at sundown, we come back to town and watch the fireworks from on top of our house,' said Nate Chappell, 24, a senior from Orem majoring in Korean.
Wherever BYU students decide to go to celebrate this year's Independence Day, one thing is certain: they are going to make the most of it.
'You have to,' Taylor said. 'By the time the Fourth rolls around and you are still in school, you are ready to kind of let go. I know I will be.'