Fourth of July Survival Guide

Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government; that whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights.
-Thomas Jefferson

I'm not a historian, but I think it's probably safe to assume the Second Continental Congress didn't anticipate the Internet when its members signed off on the Declaration of Independence 237 years ago on Thursday. 

Still, I like to think that if they had, they'd have approved of Patch—a knowledgable, engaged public being a prerequisite for democracy, and Patch, in its own small way, advancing that knowledge.

In that spirit, we present you a rundown of how the holiday will affect local businesses, grocery store hours, recycling pickup and more—basically, everything Lower Merion needs to know to make the best of Independence Day. Like we said, small way.

• Lower Merion Celebrating Independence Day in Style
• Post Your Fourth of July Photos on Patch
• Grocery Store Hours for Fourth of July
• Fun and Easy 4th of July Recipes
• What's Closed on the Fourth of July?
• Fourth of July Shifts Trash and Recycling Pickup
• Can I Buy Fireworks in Lower Merion?
• Fireworks: Find Local Displays
• Celebrate July 4 With Parades, Music & More