John Adams, our first Vice President and second President, spoke to the significance of the Fourth of July.

He said: “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

And parade we had in Allied Gardens.

The Third Annual Community Parade attended by three generations of Allied Gardens residents began at Marvin Elementary School, went up Eldridge, across Hamill and Gala, and back. And pomp we had. Led by Engine 31 and followed by bikes, strollers, wagons, pets, and children of all ages festooned with enough Red, White, Blue to make a hundred flags. All celebrating the importance of our freedoms and the value of the sacrifices made to obtain them.

Everyone loved the festive necklaces, headbands, temporary tattoos, and sunglasses that made them part of the celebration, a part of the parade itself. For the children it was an introduction to the special joy of our freedoms, for some their first taste of what it means to celebrate being an American. For the adults it was a reminder of what this special holiday means and how much work it takes to preserve our democratic republic.

There are big displays on the Capitol Mall and on major boulevards, with fly-overs, firework displays, and gun salutes to honor the glory of the day. But none will be so grand as to have our neighbors assembling in the streets in front of their homes while rejoicing in their absolute freedom to do so. And not too many of those “big” celebrations will have popsicles for all participants.

To the organizers Aubrey Foulk, Lauren Maxilom, Rachel Teschler, Atria Lutz, Diana Robbins and Mariah Nissan, we are proud to report your work and we thank you so very much.

(Courtesy photos)