If you are coming to Cocoa Beach, I recommend the Cocoa Beach Pier. They say it isn’t just for fishing although you can certainly do that. They have restaurants, gift shops and beach rentals. You can always catch or participate in a friendly game of beach volley ball and of course surf. Just south of the pier is the famous Ron Jon Surf Shop. It is a two story surf shop, with everything you could possibly need to enjoy your visit. While you are here visit Florida’s Seafood Bar & Grill. It is a personal favorite of my family. They have all the local favorites; corn fritters, shrimp bisque, fresh fish and rock shrimp. As well as steak and chicken dishes.

Until you can come to Florida try out this Corn Fritter recipe from Florida’s Seafood Bar & Grill:

Corn Fritters

Heat the cooking oil to approximately 350 degrees F. Sift the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar together. Combine eggs, milk, and butter blend. Fold the egg mixture into dry ingredients. Add corn last. Drop by tablespoon into hot oil – deep fry about 5 minutes, turning periodically – or until they’re golden brown. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Things to do in July:

7/4th Cocoa Beach Fourth of July fireworks
7/4th Cocoa, River Front Park Fourth of July celebration and fireworks with Brevard Symphony Orchestra 8:00pm
7/16th 40th anniversary of Apollo 11 Kennedy Space Center 11:00am (included in the price of admission)
July 11-12: Eastern Surfing Association Surf Contest, Melbourne Beach, at Sebastian Inlet State Park

Us kids played tag and ball in the field next to their house.   When we were finish or just wanted to take a break we would just lie there and stare up at the sky.  We could hear our Moms talking and laughing together.

My  Dad always made home made ice cream and I can still remember the flavor; Tutti Fruitti.  Our ice cream maker was a hand crank back then (the one I have is electric).  My Dad would do all the churning.  When it would start to get hard to turn, all of us kids would get in line to sit on the top of the ice cream maker.  So, that there would be weight on it, my Dad said it helped him hold it in place but, looking back he really didn’t need our help.  When the ice cream was almost ready he added all the mixed fruit.  I don’t remembered how that roasted pig tasted but, I do remember that ice cream.

We didn’t have fire works but, we had sparklers.  When it got dark we would run in the field with our sparklers, we loved sparklers.  Then we all settled down and had that wonderful ice cream.

Now my Mom, Dad, Uncle Elmer and Aunt Jean are all gone but, they left me with wonderful memories of a simpler time when families gathered together and took the time to be together.

Hope that you have wonderful 4th of July, appreciate your freedom and family.