The Observation Deck

The Observer had photographers all around Light Up Lakewood, and thank God we did! The
event has become the signature event of Lakewood. Last year was downsized from the year
before, and smaller than the year before. This year's event was PACKED! With smiling
families, and business owners.

Ian Andrews, Ken Brand, Hilary Shickler and everyone at LakewoodAlive really pulled an
amazing event off this year. I have no idea the actual numbers, but it was packed from
just east of Marlowe to west of St. Charles, and I mean packed when the fireworks started.
Because of the Lakewood Center North building, the crowd picked up again at Warren and
was packed again to almost Gladys. I am talking packed!

All along the route, there were great things to do to keep a person busy and interested.

As I mentioned with had a group there taking pictures, and the first one to post is Tyler Wick,


You can see more of his images at:
http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/tyler-wick/light-up-lakewood

We will be adding my photos throughout the day tomorrow. I know I shot about 700,
and the Lovejoy brothers we snapping photos from every angle imaginable. They really
are a couple classic Lakewoodites who love the city and love to share their wonderful
images with the city.

So check out Tyler's

and once again thank you to Ian Andrews for his leadership and for pulling together a great
crew that have really made Light-Up_Lakewood a premiere event!

.

Thanks for the great pics, Jim. It was a great feeling and evening in a real downtown, in a real city, not like Plastic (Crocker) Park.

Sorry for the delay, hundreds of images to sort through from last night.

A couple highlights so far.


My friend Mwali owner at Tease Salon, stands in for the big man. Mwali is a great father
and made a great stand in.


The Schiefferle family finds some tasty treats!


Before the parade the place was packed, after the parade it was really packed.


Some great civic, sports, schools and businesses paraded by.


See, I told you, the place was packed after the parade!


And then we turned at watched the fireworks.


Just kidding the fireworks were great. Much better than the 4th of July!


Then we went back to holiday things while carolers wandered around singing.

Well, I hope these can hold you until later.

.

All I have to say is WOW!!!
I started the day by going up to find a good vantage point for my pole shots, I wanted to be sure of safety hazards like power lines and somewhere I could lean the pole because I knew lighting and motion blur would be an issue. I had 3 cameras to chose from and had 2 in the air at any one time.
My biggest mistake was having both cameras taking pictures 5 seconds apart giving me almost 5000 pictures to go through. I had one camera taking HD video but my laptop took one look at it and said "I don't think sooo"

More shots

And more...

Sorry for the reverse order still grasping this posting thing...
BTW I have a new best friend.

Craig, you show me images that I often come back to for a second or third look.

your art is unfailingly just a bit more than interesting. Thanks.

Craig - nice to finally meet you in person! (you were NOT hard to spot) and as always .. great shots!

Ex-Mayor Cain was there having fun!


Tommy Mahall was there having fun.


Steve Gannis, notorious curmudgeon who was really anti-Library and anti-Observer was there!
Today we are all friends. It was great to see him out and enjoying himself.


Then to show just how close this community is, Ruthy Davis calls for a group hug with long-time friends and
neighbors, Judge Carroll and his wife Bonnie. How can you not love this community?


Chomps was there.


Diane Helbig and Patty Ryan from the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce were there.


Mary Lou Call Lakewoodite Daniel Dominic owner of the bike cabs, and is featured in the new issue
of the Great Lakes Courier.


LakewoodAlive's Housing Outreach Director, Hilary Shickler with Lakewood's Law Director Kevin Butler were there.


The Wheelers were there.


Susan Grimberg, President of Lakewood Hospital, Robert Weil, MD, Zippy, and the University of Akron,
Lakewood's Campus Dean Suzane Metlko were there.


Detective Patrick Foye, with Ken Brand, Marketing and Event Coordinator at LakewoodAlive. were there!


Kate Parker was there long enough to give me a shot in the stomach!


Ian Andrews Director of LakewoodAlive was there! (Sorry ladies, Ian just got married!)


The fireworks were there!


Greta and Marley can't wait till next year!

And another 120 photos of friends neighbors, parades, fireworks and Lakewood at its best!
http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/jim-obryan/light-up-lakewood-2012

Check out the other photo galleries too! http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs

Jimmy,
Great photos and a great night with old friends and family.
Love

Heidi Hilty wrote:Jimmy,
Great photos and a great night with old friends and family.

Ditto!

Nicely done, Jimmy.

Safe, Clean, and Fun!

Matt