US residents in UAE mark 4th of July celebrations

Joining their fellow citizens back home, Americans in the UAE came together on Wednesday to mark their country's Independence Day on Wednesday. 
The 4th of July, which marks the Declaration of Independence from the British in 1776, is a national holiday in the United States, which many Americans spend with at family reunions, parades, baseball games, and, notably, watching fireworks.
Spending time with family and friends, local American expats here spoke to Khaleej Times to reflect on what they miss from home and what the day means to them. For 11-year resident, Tara Danishmand, Wednesday was a quiet affair for her family of four. Celebrating with a meal out in the evening, she said the story would be very different if she was back home. 
"It's a really big deal. We would be celebrating with family, in-laws, friends. If I was there we'd probably be having a BBQ, attending a parade, and of course, watching the fireworks. It's a lot like how we celebrate New Years here."
But with one child born in Dubai and one growing up here from a very young age, Danishmand said it's just "force of habit and surroundings" that translate to a more laid back approach here. 
"To be honest, my kids don't get that excited by it as they can't relate to it so much. They've never really been surrounded by it, so it's just the four of us today. I do miss being with family on days like today."
For mum-of-three April Mccabe, the big outdoor BBQ with family is one of the main things she misses when living out of the US on days like Independence Day. 
"If I was home in Tennessee, we'd be surrounded by family barbequing burgers, hotdogs, and we'd all be crowded in the kitchen making potato salad."
After 10 years in Dubai, she said 4th of July was something her family made a point of celebrating when they first arrived. But in recent years it has flailed off. 
"It's such a commercialised holiday back home, it's hard not to celebrate. But here, it's not such a big deal so I guess you tend to lose that excitement a bit. We are flying home this week though, so we will catch up with family, friends and have a belated celebration." 
Holding its 33rd annual 4th of July event at the Meydan Hotel on Wednesday evening, Cara Nazari, executive director of the American Business Council, told Khaleej Times it was a proud day. 
"I have lived in the UAE for 26 years, so I am super proud to be celebrating this day in my second home. Dubai is the quintessential melting pot, so this is a unique gathering. We are celebrating our Independence Day with community members from all over, not just Americans."
The evening also marked the official launch of the American Business Council becoming the American Chamber of Commerce in Dubai. 
Introducing people to the 'Americawe love', Nazari said the evening was all about food, music, culture, and highlighting ways that American businesses can become even more engaged in the UAE.

• UAE
• Dubai