Lincoln Park District delivers outstanding Fourth of July weekend celebration

[July 06, 2022]     The Lincoln Park District seems to have raised the bar for itself again this year, as the Fourth of July celebration at the park district delivered an outstanding evening of fun, games, food, and finally fireworks.

This year, there is a good possibility that it was the largest turnout of visitors the park district has seen in several years.

The fun began at 6 p.m. Sunday evening when the LPD started off the celebration with food trucks, bounce houses, face painting, yard games, and live music.

The crowds gathered in various locations as families watched their kids play on the bounce houses before heading off to a food vendor for a fair fare supper while listening to some great live music.

As dark approached, the celebration shifted to seeing families settling down in lawn chairs and on blankets lining the former driving range at the LPD.

The fireworks this year were also outstanding. There were lots of aerial rockets that exploded in the skies to the delight of those watching.

This year there was also an increased number of ground pyrotechnics accompanied by low elevation aerials. The combination lit up the sky and made for a vibrant and abundant display with each ignition.

The weather Sunday night was perfect, not too hot, not too cool and not humid. The rockets burst beautifully and guests enjoyed an evening with mild weather and gentle breezes.

On Monday morning the annual Children’s parade was hosted by the LPD with kids and family members gathering on the street on the south side of Scully Park.

This year, it did seem that the number of kids participating was a bit smaller than previous years, but it also seemed that everyone went all out to decorate their bikes, trikes, scooters, themselves and even a couple of the family pets.

The Lincoln Fire Department and Lincoln Rural Fire Protection District were both on hand with one big fire truck leading the parade and the other bringing up the rear.

This year, the majority of the youth in the parade chose to travel by some type of conveyance, either bike, trick, scooter, or riding in a wagon pulled by a parent, grandparent or guardian.

After putting their best foot forward for the judges, the group departed Scully Park and walked or rode all the way to the Lincoln Park District.

Everyone met up in front of the Recreational Center, where the LPD provided cold drinks and other snacks to the participants.

As all refreshed themselves, LPD Director Becky Strait announced the winners of this year’s parade.

Those Parade winners were:

Bicycles and Tricycles
Ages 0-5 – Elizabeth Jones
Ages 6–8 – Aiden Fitzpatrick
Ages 9-12 – Jubilee Schrader

Wagons and Strollers
Ages 0-5 – Amanda Montcalm
Ages 6-8 – Aera and Willow Merritt
Ages 9-12 – Amelia Fitzpatrick

Foot, Scooters and Skates
Ages 0-5 – Alexandra Green
Ages 6-8 – Edward Fitzpatrick
Ages 9-12 – Trent Strait

Dogs – Earl with owner Amanda Montcalm

Each winner, including the four legged one, received a nice gift bag from the LPD.

Then it was time to get wet. The Lincoln Fire Department provided the spray, tapping into the hydrant on the corner along Railer Way and turning the large valve on the engine to send a cascade of water out across the lawn.

Kids and adults all enjoyed the chance to run and splash through the extra-large sprinkler.

When everyone was thoroughly doused that wanted to be, the water was turned off and kids and families headed on their way to enjoy the rest of their Fourth of July weekend.

Thanks to the Lincoln Park District for another great weekend of celebrating our Nation and the freedoms we enjoy.

[Nila Smith]