Families choosing to stay home this 4th of July

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The Fourth of July doesn't always mean you have to take a road trip. Some local families decided to stay home and celebrate.

"We usually go visit family, but with the weather, and a 21-month-old, it makes more sense to stay around here," Anthony Newman, of West Lafayette said.

Many families cooled off at local pools. Area pool managers said they're expecting big crowds. A long line was already formed before Castaway Bay even opened, and by noon, over 700 people had visited Tropicanoe Cove.

"With the heat index over 100 degrees, and it's a holiday, we expect a big crowd," Castaway Bay Assistant Manager, Daniel Sturgeon said. "We're nearing capacity, but we've never hit it, so we're hoping."

After the pool, families say grilling and fireworks are on the agenda.

"It's going to be awesome," Draiden Robinette of Lafayette said. "We're going to grill out and play together."

"[I] see a lot of people, a lot of good faces," Sturgeon said. "People are happy. It's a good day at work."