[youtube _fUoJHjbQgI]

Holidays inspire all kinds of gimmicky things. Peeps, for instance, are at the top of my list of favorite holiday tackle, as are those chalky Valentine’s Day hearts, thanks mostly to this episode of Futurama. (“This concept of ‘wuv’ confuses and infuriates us!”)

It doesn’t really matter that even the most entertaining of this stuff is pretty useless for 364 days of the year. Somehow, we think it’s cool anyway, and new holiday paraphernalia pops up every year.

Enter Astraware, a software publisher for mobile devices. They’ve released a pretty hokey little application just in time for Independence Day. Like Peeps and dancing Santas, I’m not sure what its purpose is, so let me tell you what it does: when you start the program – aptly named “Fireworks” – you’re given the option of choosing from four backgrounds and three patriotic songs. When you make your selection and hit the ‘launch’ button, animated fireworks buzz around your chosen picture as the music plays.

And that’s pretty much it. Play the 40-second video above and you’ll get a good idea of what it looks like in action.

This isn’t something I’d ordinarily download, but since Mount Rushmore is one of the four backgrounds you can choose (the Statue of Liberty, a flag and the Iwo Jima Memorial are your other options), I had to check it out. I found it oddly compelling. I’ll probably delete the program in the next day or two, but not before I run around the office and show all my coworkers. It’s got an undeniably kitschy appeal, a novelty that somehow inspires you to call your friends over so you can have a couple of good laughs.

Part of the appeal might be my choice of music: Liberty Bell March. Thanks to Monty Python, who used the tune as their theme song, I have a strange affinity for the Sousa composition. If you’re feeling a bit more patriotic – or a bit less absurd -you can also choose the Star-Spangled Banner or Stars ‘n Stripes Forever.

It’s certainly no replacement for watching the real Fourth of July fireworks show at Mount Rushmore, which starts tomorrow. But if you can’t make it, this little program might (in some small way) give you the means to be there in spirit. Or something.

It’s available for free download (although you will have to give them your name, phone and e-mail address) from Astraware’s website. It took about 1 MB of space to install on my Dell Axim X51v, which is reasonable. The program loaded quickly and ran without a hitch. Astraware Fireworks is available in versions for standalone Pocket PCs, Pocket PC smartphones, devices with the Palm OS and Blackberries.