The Lakewood Community Recreation & Education Department is marking a century of service by leading the city’s Fourth of July parade as grand marshals, a nod to the department's enduring legacy. This year, the annual event will kick off at 10:00 a.m. on July 4, starting its route on Lake Avenue at Kenneth Drive and winding up at Lakewood Park, according to an announcement made on the City of Lakewood, Ohio, official website.
The department, which began under the Lakewood City School District in 1925 with just one full-time director and a secretary, has undergone considerable evolution over the past 100 years. From modest beginnings, with only two rooms for operations, the department now employs seven full-time staff members and an additional 350 seasonal/part-time staff members. They manage a wide array of facilities, including three pools, ten gyms, and numerous sports fields. This year alone, they've seen over 9,000 participants in their programs, per the City of Lakewood, Ohio official website.
Integral to the city's festive atmosphere, the Fourth of July parade in Lakewood will feature popular musical acts such as the Lakewood High School Ranger Marching Band, the St. Edward Marching Eagles, the Lochaber Pipe Band, and The Red Hackle Pipe Band. These local favorites will provide the soundtrack for a day steeped in community and celebration.
Continuing the festivities, the evening will host performances by the Lakewood Project, Lakewood High School’s renowned Youth Rock Orchestra. They're scheduled to play at the Bandstand in Lakewood Park starting at 7:00 p.m. The day is set to conclude with Lakewood’s traditional fireworks display, which will light up the night sky at approximately 9:45 p.m., bringing the centennial celebration to a dazzling end.
