This year, the annual Kings Park Fourth of July parade was special for Kathy O'Donoghue. Last year her husband was in the war in Iraq, and they were with relatives. This year her daughter Addison, 8, was on her bike, while Aden, 6, stayed with Mom, and Dad got the camera.
"Their dad's home this year from Iraq," O'Donoghue said.
O'Donoghue pointed to her daughter among the crowd.
"She's very excited. She's with all her friends," she said.
Around 11:30 the morning of Saturday, July 3, the neighborhood children and parents started gathering at the Kings Park Elementary School, but no one was really sure when the parade was supposed to start. This was one of the few community July Fourth parades in the area, and it has been an annual event for 42 years, according to the master of ceremonies at the picnic.
NICK MUNSTER spent about 30 minutes taping red, white and blue streamers on his bike, getting it ready for the parade. Nick didn't need to read about it anywhere. The parade was as consistent as the leaves turning brown in fall.
"There's always a parade. We just know it," Nick said.
Alec Zacaroli was in his sixth parade. The whole family helped decorate its Fiat convertible for the event.
"It's a pretty neat thing. I know they were looking for cute, pretty cars," Zacaroli said.
Stephanie Ramsey, 14, was with a group of teenage girls, Julianna Sparrow, 13; Sarah Buterbaugh, 14; and Marta Elena Sparrow, 15. They've all been in the Kings Park parade before, though they were without bikes, a car to ride in or scooters.
"We just walk," Julianna said.
"It's just so much fun. We hang out and get to chat," Stephanie said.
"This is the only thing Kings Park does. It's a small-town feel. It's really cool," Marte Elena added.
AS MORE AND MORE people showed up, it took a convertible with several American flags flapping in the breeze to get the group organized. The official-looking car served as a catalyst, and everyone got into a semi-organized line. Children on bicycles dominated the ranks, followed by mothers with strollers, scooters and walkers. A fire truck and ambulance from Burke Fire and Rescue Station 14 accompanied the group through the community to the Kings Park park, where the Kings Park band was set up, along with food and refreshments.
Other Kings Park residents that weren't in the parade set up lawn chairs in their front yards, waving and watching the event. Tim Fitzmaurice led the group on his Harley Davidson motorcycle, with an Uncle Sam doll strapped to the seat.
"There's always a Harley in the front," Fitzmaurice said.
The Cub Scouts of Pack 1330, consisting of boys from Burke and Springfield, were earning a summer activities badge which consists of three activities performed over the summer. Brian Anderson, pack leader, led the group.
"I think this parade brings the neighborhood together," Anderson said.