Here comes the 4th of July again. Since the mid-sixties Jack and I have spent every 4th (if we were in town, and usually we were) in Lake Park as members of the Lake Park 4th of July Committee. Jack goes to Hartford Avenue School, and leads the parade to Lake Park. Along the way he and the other volunteers hand out flags to those who join the march, and run up to the porches or yards of those who can’t come down to get a flag. At some point on Locust Avenue the marching band falls in. In the meantime I’m with the others at the tables in the park handing out cups of ice cream and little wooden spoons. After the welcoming words, the raising of the flag, the Pledge of Allegiance, the singing of the National Anthem and some brief comments by local public officials, people disperse to the different areas of the park according to their interests. Some take their little ones to the games for the appropriate age groups. I help with the girls’ games, and Jack helps with the boys’ and then with the water balloon toss. Meanwhile, other members are supervising the sidewalk chalk art, the lining up of the contestants for the judging of the decorated bicycles, trikes, coaster wagons and doll buggies. After the last prize has been awarded in each category (and there are some really nice ones that members of the committee have carefully shopped for and many local businesses have donated), the committee goes to the lower level of the pavilion for a potluck lunch. At sometime during the morning we are treated to a band concert.
The talent contest is the afternoon’s entertainment. The range of abilities can be quite wide, since there are no auditions. At times we have been awe-struck by the dancing, singing, playing or recitations. We often wonder if we could have summoned up the courage at such a young age to perform on a stage.
Through the years we have at times melted, frozen and/or been rain-soaked, but we always feel a great sense of satisfaction when the day's events have gone well.
Jack and I are always too tired to return to the park to see the fireworks, but I think we’re in the minority on that.
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