Small but very patriotic group takes part in Lincoln’s Fourth of July Children’s Walking Parade

[July 05, 2018]   LINCOLN - On Wednesday morning, the return of the Lincoln Children’s Walking Parade was very well received by a small but patriotic group of children. Kids decorated their bikes, parents decorated strollers and wagons, and all set off on the traditional trek from the south side of Scully Park in Lincoln to the Lincoln Park District Recreational Center.

Among the patriots there was plenty of red white and blue, two versions of Abraham Lincoln and one dog entry.

Kids were joined in the parade by their parents in many instances. The Lincoln Police Department and the Lincoln Fire Department offered escort to the park district, and Lincoln’s own Tim McDougal brought up the rear guard on his bicycle.

Lincoln Park District Executive Director John Andrews even got caught up in the spirit of the day, wearing his patriotic top hat, and driving the park district golf cart that was decorated to the hilt with flags, patriotic whirly-gigs and balloons.

At the park district, everyone was treated to bottled water and a sweet snack and the winners of the various parade categories were announced.

In the Bicycles and Tricycles category the winner in the zero to six-year-old category was Jaxson McMullen. Joshua Hellman won in the seven to eight-year-old division, and in the nine to 12-year-olds the winner was Miley Sampson.

In the Wagon and Stroller category Luke Wibben was the winner in the zero to six-year-old category and Kennedy Kerns was the winner in the seven to eight-year-old class. There was no entry in the nine to 12-year-old category.

The final two classes were Foot/Skateboard/Skates and Dogs. In the final two-legged class Kamdin Heinzel was the only winner taking the prize in the nine to 12-year-old category. There was only one entry in the dog category, but Erf Heinzel was a top notch participant, dressed in patriotic stars and stripes and at least part of the time wearing a red, white and blue top hat, he truly deserved his first place prize.

Each of the winners was given a Lincoln Park District shoulder/back pack filled with goodies. Participation gifts were also offered to everyone who came out on the very warm day.

The day was cut short by an emergency call for the Lincoln Fire Department. Children had been invited to get cooled down by the department, but just as the winners of the prizes were about to be announced, the department was called out for an emergency.

The Fourth of July celebration in Lincoln continued as the Aquatic Center was open at the park district with fun and games in the afternoon. In the evening, the community came out to the park district once again for a 25-minute fireworks display.

Several folks came out well ahead of the fireworks show to enjoy playing on the park district driving range, visiting with friends, and enjoying food and treats from the concessions.

[Nila Smith]