The Observation Deck

What a great turn out. PERFECT weather.
I love this city!!!

I have 1200 pictures to sift through, more later.

A great turnout on a beautiful day.
I want to thank everyone who attended, especially those who marched with LOBC and the Observer.

In addition to our local luminaries, the parade had guest appearances from Rob Portman, Bobby Dibiasio, Slider, and Tom Beres (who seemed to be doing a "walking interview" with Armond Budish).

Each year is seems to get bigger and better...great stuff!

A few questions and observations:

*For the first time I can remember, the LHS football team marched as a group. Smart decision by the new coach.

*Crossfit gym's "tractor tire roll" was very impressive.

*The ballerinas were awesome...unless I'm mistaken, they were a new addition this year.

*As always, loved all the marching bands and bagpipes.

*Unicyclists never fail to amaze me.

*Whatever happened to the Keystone Kops and the Gazoo Marching Band?

*Portman had a few black people in his contingent...will the Tea Party launch an investigation?

Craig Lovejoy wrote:What a great turn out. PERFECT weather.
I love this city!!!

I have 1200 pictures to sift through, more later.

Great shot Craig!


I would like to thank the gang from Betsy Voinovich's Paper Dress party for stopping by and helping, also was Mike, Jeff,
John, Paul, Rhonda, Mike, Mike, Tom and everyone, it was a good year, biggest crowd I remember.

But a special thank you to Melissa Garrett and her crew from Lakewood City Hall. The Fourth of July is one of those magical
times, when the city just hangs out and has a blast. Melissa and her team are the major reason for that. Melissa is not
just the hardest working person in City Hall, but also the heart and soul of so many big events in Lakewood.


Melissa following up the parade!

More photos later, like Craig, we took about 800!


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Another couple hundred pictures to go through.
Just a taste for now.

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR INDEPENDANCE DAY
HAPPY 4th OF JULY LAKEWOOD

322 photos posted from our view of the parade from the back!


The start on Edgewater.




The crowds were huge.






Councilman Ryan Nowlin








Melissa Garrett tries to hurry us along.


Frank Lanza says hello.














LO's infamous photographer Ivor and his dad! Always good seeing Ivor and family!


A stop in the park for people to regroup and talk. Here our paper girls pose in the car.


Boys and their toys, turn into..


... men and their toys.

See all 322 photos of the parade at:
http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/jim-obryan/2014-independence-day-parade

What a great kick off to the day!

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A couple minutes in the Isetta during the parade. As we left I grabbed some gaffer's tape
and slapped my iphone on the window, the engine noise and screaming was a killer, so I turned it
down, but this will give you and idea, why we do it. The crowds and the people are just
so much fun, and so good, how can you not love driving 1.5 miles at 6mph stopping
every 30 of 40 feet.

A great time was had by all.

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Thank you for asking Mike and I to participate with you in the parade! It was great fun! Next year we will have to at least wear a red shirts or Observer shirts and decorate the scooters!! What a great parade and a great place to live!

Rhonda loje wrote:Thank you for asking Mike and I to participate with you in the parade! It was great fun! Next year we will have to at least wear a red shirts or Observer shirts and decorate the scooters!! What a great parade and a great place to live!

Rhonda, it is all about joining in, and doing what you want to. This is the essence of the Observer Project. You two were
fine, and it would seem people enjoyed seeing you as much as any other group in the parade. Thank you and Mike, Jeff
Dreger, Mark Timieski, the LO Crew and all of Betsy's paper girls, it is just a fun time to enjoy Lakewood.

Finally got some time to go through some pictures.
I am a born and raised Lakewoodite,and every year Lakewood out do themselves.
I love this city!

Why is it such a pain in the butt to post pics here.
Have to resize to fit and only 3 at a time limits geez...

Choose the file - add the file...I give up...I'm going outside for the sunset!!!

Lakewood is the home of some of the area's finest photogrpahers, commercial, freelancers, and hobbyist. Mary Breiner is
an accomplished freelancer who usually turns her lens on Florence, Italy, Rome, Rio de Janerio, etc. She was in town
and turned her lens on Lakewood's Independence Day Parade.







You can see her photoblog at:
http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/mary-breiner/2014-4th-of-july-parade


Mary, thanks for sharing!

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