Celebrating a Virtual Fourth of July in Bangkok

With the perennially popular Amcham Independence Day Picnic paused for a second year due to COVID-19, the best places to celebrate the holiday in 2021 are online.

This weekend normally would play host to the annual Amcham Independence Day Picnic in celebration of the US Fourth of July. The fun-filled afternoon of music, food and games is a calendar highlight each year for many expatriate Americans and others. For those who still want to mark the occasion in 2021, your best bet will be to check out the robust online coverage of the holiday, including star-studded concerts, live fireworks shows and much more.

Here are some of the best places to virtually celebrate the iconic U.S. holiday:

A Capitol Fourth

The American public broadcaster PBS will be airing a special Fourth of July concert hosted by Vanessa Williams and featuring performances from multi-platinum selling music legend Jimmy Buffett, seven-time Grammy Award-winner Gladys Knight, country music icon Alan Jackson and others. The broadcast will also include coverage from 20 cameras around Washington, DC.

Watch online here: www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth/

Reagan Foundation

This virtual program includes patriotic music by the 562nd Air Force Band, American flag trivia by a Betsy Ross re-enactor, and Declaration of Independence trivia by a Benjamin Franklin re-enactor. The program also includes fun arts and crafts the entire family can enjoy.

Watch online here: www.youtube.com/ReaganFoundation

CNN

The news channel’s “Fourth in America Special” will air starting at 7pm EST (6am Bangkok). The July 4 special will feature musical performances from The Beach Boys with John Stamos, Bebe Rexha, Billy Ray Cyrus, Black Eyed Peas, Blues Traveler, Brad Paisley, Chicago, Flo Rida, Foreigner, Kool & the Gang, Nelly, Ne-Yo, REO Speedwagon, Sammy Hagar & The Circle, Susanna Hoffs, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, and Trisha Yearwood. In addition to airing worldwide on CNN, “Fourth In America” will also be streamed live on CNN.com‘s homepage.

Live cams

Miss your favourite spots in the US? For a live look at some of America’s best-loved landmarks, check out these 24-hour video feeds: The Statue of Liberty, Yosemite Falls, Times Square in New York City, Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park and Grand Canyon.

Top photo: Capital Concerts