NEW YORK, NY July 03, 2009 —New Yorkers are energized about a Fourth of July holiday weekend that promises to be sunny, warm, and free of rain. Some 2,500,000 are hitting the roads today, a sharply lower number than in years past. Triple A New York says that's because of the poor economy. Others, like Larry Birns, are staying home. For Birns, the holiday is not about fireworks, it's about food, like a barbecue at his son's house.

BIRNS: When I think of a BBQ, I think of basically spareribs. I hope to sneak out of the spareribs and land up at a chocolate malted emporium.

Brooklyn's Shirley Roe agrees that ribs are a big part of the holiday menu:

ROE: BBQ ribs, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, collard greens and yams. I made BBQ chicken so far and rice and green beans today.

Before enjoying BBQ, Roe and her family are going to Coney Island for another food related event - the annual Nathans International Hot Dog Eating Contest.