City plans ‘unparade’ on July 4 with treats

Avon Lake will honor Independence Day in style while protecting health and safety.

From 10 a.m. to noon, July 4, Avon Lakers are invited to “Unparade” at Stop 65 Beach Park Station in decorating their vehicles in patriotic style.

Hosted by the Avon Lake Historical Society in partnership with the city of Avon Lake and Avon Lake Boosters, resident can celebrate America’s birthday from the comfort of their vehicle.

Participants are required to pre-register at avonlakerec.com in order to accommodate everyone.

Unparaders will head to Stop 65, 33479 Lake Road, entering at Electric Boulevard into the parking and following a marked route.

Residents will remain in their vehicles and distances between vehicles will be maintained.

Cars are invited to pause at a series of tented stations in the parking lot attended by numerous nonprofit and business organizations which will have candy, flags and other patriotic tokens to distribute.

The event will be accompaniedbymusictoaddafestive flair and participants are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item to donate to Community Resource Services along the route.

Distributors at the stops will wear masks and gloves for the safety of all.

On May 30, the city canceled its annual Independence Day celebration and fireworks at Weiss Field due to ongoing health concerns from the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Mayor Greg Zilka said the city was in a precarious situation because as other cities cancelled their Independence Day fireworks celebrations, the result could have increased the crowds in Avon Lake and create an untenable situation given the state of Ohio’s social distancing guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Anyone who would like to participate in “Unparade” is asked to contact Avon Lake Historical Society President Tony Tomanek at 440-4528208.

Organizers are expecting around 500 cars and participants will need to provide their own tent and chairs.

Historical Society officials say they are looking forward to making Unparade a memorable event for the community, and at the same time, collecting donations for Community Resource Services.