Midway Beach 4th of July Parade, Conneaut Lake

The 4th of July Parade, not being on the 4th, was more accurately, a 7th of July Parade.The 70's themed parade of golf carts and bicycles followed the usual path - starting at Midway Beach, going up Lakeview and then back down Midway to the beach again.

Conneaut Lake's equivalent of a grand marshall (the kid on the bike) leads the parade down Midway Drive.

We're in Steelers' territory, so it's no surprise that there was a cart decorated to celebrate the Pittsburgh Steelers dynasty of the 1970s.

My aunt Iris (left), me (middle), and my mom (right) waiting for the parade to start.

My boys and my dad

What's a parade without royalty? Miss Bicentennial!

The whole crew watching the parade.

Past Midway Beach Civic Club Parades:

2009 - Cowboys and Indians

2010 - Christmas in July

4th of July Cookout at the Cottage

This is one heck of a place to get to. Because of it's proximity to, well, nowhere, we don't get a lot of visitors. When our good friends from home said they'd be at a volleyball tournament in Columbus we begged and pleaded for them to make the drive to the lake. Actually, it didn't take much begging or pleading. Being the good sports that they are (and probably really curious about what actually goes on at the lake), they drove the four hours from Columbus to Conneaut Lake to spend two nights with us before returning to California.

Here are our visitors during our 4th of July cookout. I wonder what they're thinking.

We had a lot of family over for the 4th. Kate with her little cousins below.

 Our very casual cookout.

Usually I put more thought and effort into this. This year, though, since Bob wasn't here and we had house guests, I decided to relax, provide hot dogs, sausages, and s'mores and have guests bring everything else. So easy!

My sister-in-law and my nephew. Being a two year old boy, little Charlie was only interested in the 'pinchers' (aka tongs).

We have a new darling cousin in the family. Don't panic anyone - it's an empty bottle and he was closely supervised!

My daughter (left) and her friend. I think they must have been separated at birth.

After dinner by the cottage we moved down by the lake for a fire, s'mores, and fireworks.

Every try taking a picture of nine kids between the ages of 11 months and 14 years old? This is the best I could do! Good looking group, isn't it.

4th of July Part 2

It wouldn't be the 4th without a barbecue, so we invited friends and family over.

Bob at the grill

Baby Charlie

Lori and Perry and the food

Kate, Will, Francie and Sylvia participated in the first ever Sandcastle Building Contest on Midway Beach.

Here they are putting the finishing touches on their creation while the adults watch.

Not that I'm partial or anything, but it was the best sandcastle on the beach!

Eagerly waiting for the results

A medal!

4th of July - Part 1

We've been celebrating the 4th since yesterday. Fireworks were last night, because for some reason they are never on the 4th around here. I have my suspicions that there is one pyrotechnic guy in the area and he has to spread the shows around.

Kate and Francie painted their nails in red, white, and blue. This was Kate's first (and according to her, last) experience with nail polish. It lasted all of 5 minutes. Not even long enough for a picture.

A lot of Flanagans watching the parade on Midway

This is how Sport spent the 4th. At least his E-Collar is blue and white. Poor guy went from bad to worse after being attacked last Sunday and had to have minor surger a few days ago to repair the wound.

There's nothing like a 4th of July Parade. This year's theme, however was quite possibly the worst theme ever. Christmas in July. Just not a good idea. Lots of Santas, Reindeer and Christmas Trees. Also lots of candy. The kids running for the candy...

Kate and Francie had big plans to make a flag cake. Bob just couldn't keep his hands away and had to get in on the decorating.

We still have a lot of celebrating ahead of us, so stay tuned for more tomorrow.

5th of July Parade

Midway Civic Club hosted their annual 4th of July parade this morning. This year's theme was Cowboys and Indians. William and his cousin Francie planned on participating, but as soon as we saw the golf cart-turned-covered wagon lining up we decided that the paper-bag-vest-Indian and the pink-hatted-cowgirl didn't quite cut it. We won't sit it out next year, however.

The self-titled Midway Civic Club Miss Bicentennial rode in one of the first cars. After watching the parade last year, she decided to give herself a crown and a title and ride in style this year.

Covered wagon golf cart.

Miss Bicentennial leading the parade.

Parade view up Midway.

4th of July

Every year, there is a beautiful fireworks display over Conneaut Lake. Oddly, however, the fireworks are never on the 4th of July. Even though we have to wait until tomorrow for the parade and fireworks, we did plenty of celebrating today.

Kate and her cousin Francie making a special 4th of July treat.

Flags down Midway.

Kate and Francie dressed for the holiday.

Jeff, Uncle Labon, my dad, Aunt Elaine and the kids in line for the dinner on Midway Beach.

The girls on the beach.

After dinner there was a big cash raffle. Ben won a wad of money! Our group, in fact, won two of the three prizes, with Uncle Labon winning a picture of the Midway Hotel.

Something you don't see in California - our own fireworks.

Will with a sparkler.
Happy 4th!