FAQ’s About the Lake Barcroft Fourth of July Parade

FAQ’s About the Lake Barcroft Fourth of July Parade

By Victoria Fernandez
 
Q: Holy Smokin’ Firecrackers, it’s almost time for the Fourth of July Parade! What’s the Woman’s Club planning this year?
 
A:  Funny you should ask! The Woman’s Club is having its annual Lake Barcroft Fourth of July Parade on Monday, July 4 (duh), at 11:00 AM beginning at Beach 5 (on Waterway Drive near the intersection with Rusticway Drive) and ending at Beach 3 (on Waterway Drive at the intersection with Stoneybrae Drive).
 
Q: What actually happens at the parade?
 
A:  The Woman’s Club will hand out balloons and flags for the marchers (you can bring your own flag if you have one) at Beach 5. The parade begins marching down Waterway Drive at 11:00 AM, a police car blasts its siren and then the fire truck leads the way. Next, the nearly world famous Lake Barcroft Marching Band begins playing and marching, children/parents wearing red, white and blue march behind, parents pull babies along in decorated wagons and strollers, children on bikes decorated with streamers and flags bike by, little tykes bikes roll by, decorated dogs on leashes march by, the Kazoo Band marches by, maybe a few politicians or wannabe politicians walk by, then a police car pulls up the rear and maybe a second police car follows until the parade reaches  Beach 3.
 
Q: Police Cars?  Why do the police come? And Fire Trucks, too?
 
A: Well, parades on public streets require a police permit.  So after we get our permit, the police come over to block off the adjacent streets, head up the front and pull up the rear—all to make the parade route safe for us.  The fire trucks come for free.  They enjoy supporting our community and thrilling the kids.
 
Q:  What about those politicians?  Do you invite them?
 
A:  Nope.  But we welcome them, and it is nice to see them.
 
Q:  Will there be any food or drink for the children marching in the parade?
 
A: Yup!  Volunteers have baked many cookies and provided  lemonade and water. Everything will be handed out at Beach 3 at the end of the parade.
 
Q:  What happens if it is a really hot day?
 
A:  The Woman’s Club will have volunteers along the parade path handing out small bottles of cold water to the parade participants.
 
Q:  Can I bring my Cousin Clementine and her 3 kids if they visit that weekend?
 
A:  Of course, this is a family event!  And it is a free event sponsored by the Woman’s Club. LBA graciously donates the flags.
 
Q: What if I just want to watch the parade and not dress up in red, white and blue to march in it?  This seems like a great spectator event!
 
A:  You are right. It is a wonderful spectator event.  In that case, park on one of the side streets going in to Waterway Drive (they are Cavalier Corridor, Crosswoods Drive, and Fiddlers Green) and then line up on the side of Waterway Drive to see the parade go by.
 
Q:  So the Lake Barcroft Woman’s Club puts on the Fourth of July Parade every year?
 
A:  Yes, since for the past 30+ years!
 
Q:  Are you kidding!  Really over 30 years?
 
A: Yup!  Since 1972, Jean Meyer and Joan Doupe have organized this event (of course the rest of the Woman’s club helps them, too).
 
Q:  What if it rains?  Is there a rain date?
 
A: Nope, this event marches on, rain or shine.
 
Q: You said I could bring my dog?
 
A: Yup, well behaved dogs on a leash are welcome! Be sure to bring your plastic bag just in case…