How to Celebrate the 4th of July in Geneva

Suddenly feeling patriotic with the 4^th of July coming up and you’re lost in the crowd speaking French and many other languages that you don’t understand including some of the English? There are Americans celebrating in the Geneva area and you may be able to hook up with some because there are a large number of Americans either visiting or living here.

Happy Birthday America!

The United States’ Independence Day is on a Sunday this year and there are a number of English speaking synagogues and churches and where you can meet Americans beforehand. The rest is up to you to make new friends!

If you go to the parks, especially around the shoreline (bring a bag of goodies and perhaps some drinks), you will no doubt find a friendly group of compatriots having a BBQ with country music blaring who would be pleased to welcome you. Just look for the Budweiser!

The majority of Americans living in the Lake of Geneva area (including myself) belong to the American International Club (AIC) and if you ask your American acquaintances in Geneva you will probably encounter a member fairly rapidly. The AIC has the best 4^th of July party around every year for families, couples, single members and their friends since 1952. There will be BBQ cuisine, games, competitions, and live music for dancing and lots of merry making.

The Democrats Abroad are having a picnic to celebrate the 4^th of July in Geneva’s Parc des Bastions (in front of the Reformation Wall) from 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM. There will be all American games for kids, prizes, (temporary) tattoos, frisbee and more. Bring your own lunch but there will be a bake sale to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. The event is free and all are welcome, even Republicans!

Mr. Pickwick’s Pub in Geneva is a hang out for all travellers and expatriates from all over the world. This is the oldest English pub in Switzerland (Est. in 1969). Don’t worry; you can be sure there will be other Americans there. Mr. P’s has a big screen TV for sporting events (like the FIFA World Cup 2010!), live music, and new friends waiting to celebrate almost anything related to someone’s country.

Or take an excursion out of Geneva to celebrate the 4th of Julywith other Americans and music fans from all over the world. Hop on a train to Montreux down the lakeshore for the 44^th Montreux Jazz Festival and enjoy the day with an amazing number of Americans that will be there and there is free entertainment all along the shoreline, parks, and in some venues and lots to eat – even American food! (see my personal comments from Lausanne on http://www.nileguide.com/destination/lausanne/event ).

[Image courtesy of leoncillo sabino flickr]

USEFUL ADDRESSES:

Democrats Abroad

events@democrats.ch

info@democrats.ch

Geneva@democrats.ch

http://www.democratsabroad.org/group/switzerland-geneva

The American International Club (AIC)

Hotel Intercontinental

Case Postale 371

1211 Geneva 19

TEL: 022 910 25 80