albion 4th of july story
The annual 4th of July celebration in Edinboro wasn't marred because the lake was closed due to bacteria found in the water. Far from it. The Independence Day event went on as planned, with some detours along the way.
The Edinboro Lakeside Association is responsible for hosting the annual event, which has become a focal point for many in the region. People had gathered even at 9 a.m., even before the kick-off with the national anthem at 10.
Jan Crawford-Lightner, who (as stated in an earlier article) helps put together the day's affairs with her sister, could be found busy helping to register participants for the Trike and Bike Parades, which followed the national anthem.
She expressed her disappointment with the closing of Edinboro Lake, calling it “huge.” According to Crawford-Lightner, this was the first time that the swim races were not included, “since I was a kid.”
Nonetheless, the rest of the activities continued on, despite any setbacks, as inconvenient or abrupt as they were.
A posting at Pat Crawford Beach stated that bacteria had been detected in the water during the past 24 hours by the Department of Environmental Protection, cancelling all water-related events (such as the swim races, watermelon battles and kayak races, which were a relatively new feature).
“Please remember, our judges are volunteers. They do not accept any bribes or harassment,” Crawford-Lightner warned the onlooking audience before the parades.
The eager kids came out in full decorations for both parades, all right. Along with the traditional assortment of red, white and blue, fairies and other creative outfits could be spotted.
However, taking third place, was “Number 7,” an “American cowboy” who earned both applause for himself and, well, his mom, as Lightner-Crawford pointed out.
The other events were the aforementioned parades, the tug of war battle, sack races, a water balloon toss and various events for the kids, like a dig for money in the beach's sand and a candy find. The digging in the sand brought in the young ones from 3 to 8 while tots 3 and under could go searching for the candy instead.
Meanwhile, people could purchase Edinboro-designed artwork, t-shirts, Troyer Farms potato chips and enter a Chinese auction for baskets that local merchants had donated. Baskets were put together by Scotland Yard and were designed by such people as Jan Heatherington, Marcia Pabas, Janice Staszak, Jody Bredel, Kelly and Mark Staszack (who donated a Napa-themed basket), among others.
The Chinese auction proved to be quite the success, as Heatherington indicated, even before the Independence Day raffle.
“We made $111 on the presale,” she said. The presale was July 3.
A fake plastic duck race (not the quacking kind) was held at 5 p.m. on Mallory Run. Merric Owen, president of Edinboro Kiwanis, was present at the 4th of July celebration to sell more last minute ducks.
Ducks had been sold previously at popular locations like Uncle Charlie's Pizza Pub and Wal-Mart. Groups like the General McClane High School Key Club had participated in the effort, which raises money for Kiwanis and in turn helps out the community in general.
“It's always on the 4th of July,” Owen said about the duck race. “It's been going on for approximately ten years, a very long time.”
And Debbie Gast, the owner of Le Jardin Florals and Furnishings, was there too, with her artwork that brought to mind Edinboro at a simpler time.
Gast said she always is involved from two standpoints, as both “a member and business owner.”
“I'm excited for the children and the parents and the friends,” said Edinboro resident Dennis M. Travis, who was observing the hullabaloo surrounding the parades from his place “up the road. “
Indeed- it was an exciting time for all involved, spectator or participant, regardless of any hindrances.
JULY 4, 2010
The Edinboro Lakeside Association is responsible for hosting the annual event, which has become a focal point for many in the region. People had gathered even at 9 a.m., even before the kick-off with the national anthem at 10.
Jan Crawford-Lightner, who (as stated in an earlier article) helps put together the day's affairs with her sister, could be found busy helping to register participants for the Trike and Bike Parades, which followed the national anthem.
She expressed her disappointment with the closing of Edinboro Lake, calling it “huge.” According to Crawford-Lightner, this was the first time that the swim races were not included, “since I was a kid.”
Nonetheless, the rest of the activities continued on, despite any setbacks, as inconvenient or abrupt as they were.
A posting at Pat Crawford Beach stated that bacteria had been detected in the water during the past 24 hours by the Department of Environmental Protection, cancelling all water-related events (such as the swim races, watermelon battles and kayak races, which were a relatively new feature).
“Please remember, our judges are volunteers. They do not accept any bribes or harassment,” Crawford-Lightner warned the onlooking audience before the parades.
The eager kids came out in full decorations for both parades, all right. Along with the traditional assortment of red, white and blue, fairies and other creative outfits could be spotted.
However, taking third place, was “Number 7,” an “American cowboy” who earned both applause for himself and, well, his mom, as Lightner-Crawford pointed out.
The other events were the aforementioned parades, the tug of war battle, sack races, a water balloon toss and various events for the kids, like a dig for money in the beach's sand and a candy find. The digging in the sand brought in the young ones from 3 to 8 while tots 3 and under could go searching for the candy instead.
Meanwhile, people could purchase Edinboro-designed artwork, t-shirts, Troyer Farms potato chips and enter a Chinese auction for baskets that local merchants had donated. Baskets were put together by Scotland Yard and were designed by such people as Jan Heatherington, Marcia Pabas, Janice Staszak, Jody Bredel, Kelly and Mark Staszack (who donated a Napa-themed basket), among others.
The Chinese auction proved to be quite the success, as Heatherington indicated, even before the Independence Day raffle.
“We made $111 on the presale,” she said. The presale was July 3.
A fake plastic duck race (not the quacking kind) was held at 5 p.m. on Mallory Run. Merric Owen, president of Edinboro Kiwanis, was present at the 4th of July celebration to sell more last minute ducks.
Ducks had been sold previously at popular locations like Uncle Charlie's Pizza Pub and Wal-Mart. Groups like the General McClane High School Key Club had participated in the effort, which raises money for Kiwanis and in turn helps out the community in general.
“It's always on the 4th of July,” Owen said about the duck race. “It's been going on for approximately ten years, a very long time.”
And Debbie Gast, the owner of Le Jardin Florals and Furnishings, was there too, with her artwork that brought to mind Edinboro at a simpler time.
Gast said she always is involved from two standpoints, as both “a member and business owner.”
“I'm excited for the children and the parents and the friends,” said Edinboro resident Dennis M. Travis, who was observing the hullabaloo surrounding the parades from his place “up the road. “
Indeed- it was an exciting time for all involved, spectator or participant, regardless of any hindrances.
JULY 4, 2010
they used this and never told me! :(
Comments
Post a Comment