Andrew P Johnson / AP
Gabi Hogg, 7, and her mother Jenny Hogg share a moment before mounting a bike for the July Fourth Parade on Highway 77 in Panama City, Fla. Wednesday.
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By msnbc.com staff and news services
Millions of Americans headed for parades and fireworks shows on Wednesday to mark a sweltering Fourth of July holiday, some even celebrating as the nation's founders did -- without electricity.
Storm-ravaged states from Indiana to Virginia carried on Independence Day celebrations on Day 5 of a power outage caused by deadly winds ripping through the region. Nearly 900,000 homes and businesses remained affected and thousands of utility workers stayed on the job in a scramble to restore electricity.
Erik S. Lesser / EPA
Americans celebrate 236 years of independence with parades, fireworks, hot dogs and family fun.
"We still have a tree on the garage. It's been one of those weeks," said Gary Belniak, 57, of Wheaton, Ill., who has been without power since Sunday. His town canceled its parade and fireworks display.
Exhausted by three sleepless nights in a house where temperatures hover at about 90 degrees, Belniak said he had all but given up on the holiday.
"I decided to come to work today. That's basically my Fourth of July. I'm so irritated," he said.
In hard-hit West Virginia, Karen Allen said she planned to spend the holiday - her sixth day without power - hunting for ice.
"I'm going to go look for ice, cold gold is what it is, it's very scarce," said Allen, 43, of Charleston, W.Va.
Sizzling heat was predicted for much of the nation, with the National Weather Service forecasting temperatures from 90 degrees Fahrenheit to more than 100 ?from the Midwest to the Atlantic Coast.
Happy Fourth! Could you pass US citizenship test?
That warmth coupled with dry conditions snuffed out annual firework displays in scores of towns and cities in the West that are reeling from deadly wildfires that charred hundreds of homes and displaced tens of thousands of people.
On the East Coast, tragedy struck when a cache of fireworks apparently accidentally exploded on the back porch of a family home in New Hampshire on Tuesday night, injuring nine people, including two young children with life-threatening injuries, according to Pelham, N.H., firefighter Shawn Buckley. The children, both under age 4, were airlifted to Boston-area hospitals, according to Buckley.
'Orange mushroom cloud': Fireworks explosion injures 9 at New Hampshire home
Elsewhere in the country, the traditional Fourth of July razzle dazzle fell victim to a tepid economy with communities either scaling back fireworks shows or canceling them altogether.
Narrowsburg, N.Y.:?The bald eagle, the very symbol of American independence,?brought down the show in the?hamlet?on the Pennsylvania border. The local fire department canceled its planned fireworks display after being warned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that it could face enormous fines and even prison if any nearby bald eagles were harmed. "We decided we're not going to take the gamble," said Fire Chief George Strumpfler, canceling the show that began more than 100 years ago. "It doesn't look like it's ever going to happen again."
New York: Hours before all eyes turn to the sky for fireworks,?the focus was on?the top contenders in the Nathan's Famous hot dog eating contest on the boardwalk at New York's Coney Island. An estimated 40,000 people?watched Joey "Jaws" Chestnut, the number one-ranked eater in the world, win?his sixth title at the event, scarfing down 68 hot dogs and buns to?tie his?his world record?set in 2009. He took on 14 other men from the United States and Canada, all hoping to win the champion's Mustard Yellow International Belt. Second place went to Tim Janus with 52 hot dogs, who takes home $5,000. He was third last year.?Sonia Thomas, dubbed "The Black Widow," won?the woman's event, beating her own record by gobbling down 45 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. The petite Thomas?wins $10,000. The previous record was 41 dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Juliet Lee, of Germantown, Md., took second place with 33 and claims $5,000. Lee also won second last year.?
Philadelphia: Ahead of a?5,000-participant parade and?what is billed as the nation's largest free concert and fireworks display in the nation's birthplace?, Mayor Michael Nutter led a ceremony including a military fly-over,?readings from?the Declaration of Independence and 13 people, representing the 13 original colonies, becoming naturalized U.S. citizens, NBCPhiladelphia.com reported. The Roots was the house band for the Philly 4th of July Jam on Wednesday evenng, with the band?s drummer, Ahmir ??uestlove? Thompson serving as musical director. The concert featuring?Queen Latifah, Daryl Hall, Common, Joe Jonas and more was to be?followed by fireworks?over over the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Boston: Crew and visitors of the USS Wasp commemorated the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 with Navy Secretary?Ray Mabus.?The ceremony plans included?a fly-over by the US Navy Blue Angels, a parachute demonstration by the US Navy Leap Frogs onto Fan Pier, and a turnaround cruise on the USS Constitution that will occur directly in front of the USS Wasp, Boston.com reported. In the evening, 500,000?people were expected at the Boson Esplanade and along the banks of the Charles River for?the traditional free Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular. This year's show is scheduled to?feature singer Jennifer Hudson and actor Michael Chiklis. The show has been sponsored?by Liberty Mutual Insurance since 2005 when city financial struggles threatened to kill the tradition. Liberty Mutual, celebrating 100 years of its headquarters being in Boston,?last month agreed to a nearly $8 million?deal?with Boston 4 Productions to continue sponsorship for three?more years.?
Out of?wildfire's ashes, a?July 4?extravaganza rises
President Obama greets U.S. service members while hosting a naturalization ceremony to declare them American citizens.
Washington, D.C.: One of the biggest U.S. fireworks parties, held on Washington's National Mall, was to go ahead as planned, even after preparations on Tuesday night were abruptly interrupted when warnings of a severe thunderstorms forced police to evacuate the grounds of the Capitol.?Earlier Wednesday, President Barack Obama?welcomed?25 U.S. service members as newly sworn American citizens.?"Immigration makes America stronger," Obama said. "Immigration makes us more prosperous. Immigration positions America to lead in the 21st century." The 25 active duty U.S. service members who became citizens hailed from 17 different countries. They were administered the oath of allegiance by Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano in the East Room of the White House.
Chicago: As the Windy City suffered through sweltering heat, the Navy Pier was scheduled to host 9 p.m. CT fireworks synchronized to music over Lake Michigan. The city-sponsored Grant Park show was canceled due to budget cuts.
Reuters, The Associated Press and msnbc.com's Jim Gold contributed to this article.??Follow Jim Gold at msnbc.com on Facebook here.
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