The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
PATRIOTIC PARTY
Linwood Park hosts annual parade and neighborhood July 4 festivities
An annual Independence Day extravaganza brought out both young and old at Vermilion’s Linwood Park.
The celebration hosted by the Linwood Park Cottage Owners Association welcomed local families as well as a number of familiar faces including Mickey and Minnie, Elmo, Princess Elsa, Shrek and Snow White in addition to “Abraham Lincoln.”
A collection of classic cars included a 1960 replica of a Vermilion Police Department cruiser, and some bizarre vehicles included a bathtub on wheels, while complementing some eager young bicyclists decked out in the red, white and blue.
The event in its 32nd running is organized each year by full-time Linwood residents Ken
“People who live here tell us it’s the most popular event of the year.”
— Organizer Ken Bliss
and Nancy Bliss, who say it started with humble beginnings. Ken Bliss noted the parade grew from a few kids on bikes and a pickup truck and eventually was followed by the formation of the band into well-attended, fun-filled event it is today.
“We were very satisfied. We knew we were going to be dealing with some high temperatures, but we pursued with our plan and we were very satisfied. We had a very good turnout,” Ken Bliss said. “It worked out
very well.”
Bliss said in reviewing, they believe 2018 may have been the hottest parade on record.
The parade was highlighted by the “World Famous Linwood Park Marching Band” who continued with a follow-up performance joined by singing groups and a full program.
Bill Fussner, Ken’s brother-in-law, had the idea for developing the marching band in 1986, the centennial of the Statue of Liberty’s coming to America. A general contractor at the time, Fussner had some trailers and an idea to rig them and pull the band in a parade, and the down“That home community celebra- tion evolved from there.
was the beginning of the band being pulled. He’s still doing it 32 years later,” Ken said.
Ken added after 32 years as organizers, he and Nancy are happy to build community spirit through the Independence Day extravaganza.
“We’re pleased to be able to do it. We think in the park it’s genuinely appreciated. People who live here tell us it’s the most popular event of the year,” he said.
“We were very satisfied. We knew we were going to be dealing with some high temperatures, but we pursued with our plan and we were very satisfied. We had a very good turnout.”
— Ken Bliss