As a '90s kid growing up in Chicago, summer felt different. We spent our days outside with friends, rollerblading, playing sports, and staying out until the streetlights came on. The Fourth of July was always one of the best days of the year.

We'd start the morning decorating our bikes for the neighborhood parade. Throughout the day, the fire department would open the hydrant so we could run through the water, neighbors would line the street with tables and chairs, and our block would come alive with live music, raffles, games, and friendly competition. In the evenings, we'd sit in the street and watch fireworks light up the sky.

We could only have a pop on a special occasions so an ice-cold cherry pop on the Fourth of July feel like a real treat. Those simple moments, surrounded by family, friends, and community, are the memories that inspired this collection.

The world feels a little heavier these days, and our America the Beautiful collection was created as a reminder of the good old days. A time when summer felt endless, neighbors felt like family, and being a kid was all the freedom you needed.