Fete the Fourth with parades, fireworks

Thursday, July 02, 2009

Happy birthday, America!

Saturday will mark the 233rd anniversary of the day the United States declared its independence from England. Many communities are planning events to help celebrate, including the activities listed below. FAIRVIEW PARK

The Fairview Park Concert Band will perform at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Bain Park gazebo. The free concert will feature patriotic favorites.

Those attending should bring blankets or lawn chairs. NORTH OLMSTED

The city's Independence Day celebration begins at 9:45 a.m. Saturday with a bike contest for North Olmsted children in the police station parking lot at Dover Center and Lorain roads. There will be participation ribbons for all. Categories are boys and girls, ages 6 and younger (wagon train, tricycles, bicycles); 7-9 and 10-12. Registration was due by June 27.

Parade participants should meet at 10 a.m. in the Old Town Hall parking lot at Dover Center and Lorain roads. The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. and will travel from Old Town Hall to Dover Center to Butternut Ridge Road to Lorain and return to Old Town Hall.

Units will include the police department, VFW Post 7647 color guard, Mayor Thomas O'Grady, a music van, bike contest entrants, recreation department participants, scouts and the fire department.

The opening ceremony is at 11 a.m. at Old Town Hall with introductory remarks by Mayor Thomas O'Grady, followed by presentation of the flag, the national anthem and a drawing by VFW Post 7647 for a Toys R Us gift card (the drawing is for North Olmsted residents only).

For more information, contact the recreation department at (440) 734-8200.

There will be fireworks at North Olmsted Park, 28114 Lorain Road, at dusk on Saturday. BAY VILLAGE

The annual Bay Days events continue today through Saturday at Cahoon Park.

Booths and rides are open noon to 10:30 p.m. today, with rides one price -- $15 -- from noon to 4 p.m. The 16th annual Classic Car Cruise-In, sponsored by Bay Village Kiwanis, takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. Rain date is Friday....