Lincoln Park District celebrates Independence Day with a two-day event

 

[July 05, 2023] 

The Lincoln Park District held a two-day Independence Day celebration that began on the evening of Monday July 3rd with a Pre-fireworks playtime at the park followed by fireworks.

The evening began with many activities for visitors of all ages. Face painting, lawn games, huge and small bounce house opportunities, live music, and food vendors were the highlight of the evening.

There was a large crowd of folks who took advantage of all that was offered, from the tiniest ones who enjoyed many of the yard games, to the grandparents who set up a camp of sorts where all the rest of the family came together when it was show time.

The fireworks were once again this year astounding with more than 100 rockets set off over a space of about 35 minutes.

At the end of the night, the biggest challenge left was getting out of the parking lot at the park district. With so many people on hand there were a lot of cars who politely made their way out of the three large parking areas on district property as well as the many vehicles that were parked along the road.

With the fireworks over, everyone went home to take a good rest, before those with small children made their way back on Tuesday.

The children’s parade was hosted by the park district on Tuesday morning. The procession began with a gathering at Scully Park in Lincoln. Children were divided into modes of transportation as well as age.

The judges, according to LPD Administrator Becky Strait were tasked with a daunting job as all the entries were extremely colorful and patriotic. It was easy to see that much time had been spent on decorating bikes, wagons and strollers as well as dressing up children to look their most patriotic.

The parade began when the Lincoln Fire Department and the Lincoln Rural Fire Protection District arrived to escort the parade to the Recreation Center at the LPD.

Before taking off, some of the children couldn’t resist taking a peek inside the fire truck. The firefighters accompanying both trucks were happy to accommodate.

When Strait announced the judging would begin, she also shared a few “rules” for the parade. Those riding bikes were asked not to pass the golf cart that Strait would be driving, nor the fire trucks.

When the parade began, the Lincoln Fire Truck led the way, then Strait and then the parade participants. Lincoln Rural brought up the rear, adding a shield of protection for the children as they traversed Wyatt Avenue to the LPD.

When the parade arrived at the Park District, children were greeting by Jennifer Kirby and Hunter the Hawk of Heartland College and Devyn Fry and Chassidy White of Lincoln Daily News, who were the sponsors of the event and helping out with refreshments and games. The Lincoln Fire Department pulled their big rig into the driveway and set up for water play after the prizes were given out to the winners of the individual categories of the parade.

Those winners were:

Bikes & Trikes
Age 0-5 – Ethan Mayer
Age 6-8 – Brantley Anderson
Age 9-12 - Jadon Swiger

Wagons & Strollers
Age 0-5 - Elizabeth Jones-White

Foot, Scooters, & Skates
Age 0-5 - Dorothy Bauer
Age 6-8 – Kingsley Lewis
Age 9-12 – Norah Judd

In the dog category there was only one entry belonging to the Judd family that one first prize.

When snacks of cookies, sweets, oranges, watermelon, ice pops and fruit drinks were consumed, kids made their way out to where the yard games and water truck awaited them.

The day was warm, and the water was cool. Several of the children took advantage of the fine mist going across the yard for a quick cool off, while others chose to take advantage of the yard games that were new to the celebration this year.

Several adults also enjoyed the day, including LDN’s own Karen Castelein and Devyn Fry who took a couple of dashes through the mist with the kids. A couple of the firefighters also got involved in the water play. Chassidy White stayed busy helping kids with the games and Castelein and Fry pitched in there as well.

The Aquatic Center opened at noon, and everyone was encouraged to continue the holiday celebration at the pool where there would also be a few cold snacks handed out.

All in all, it was a great way to celebrate the 4th of July in Lincoln.

[Nila Smith]