I don't know quite how it began,
but my earliest memories of the 4th of July were participating in the neighborhood parade. It started in Placentia, California on Hamer Drive. All the neighbors met at our house. 
They could come and decorate their tricycles, bicycles, wagons, etc. We would use crepe paper and flags, etc. We also made hats out of paper plates and 
newspaper. Mom would often have special red, white, and blue clothing for us to wear. Then we would march around the block.
When we moved to Ohio, the tradition continued for a few years. Our first 4th of July in Ohio was in 1969 where the parade started at our house on Corydon Road. 
I believe the parade continued until 1972. That spring we moved to Fairfax Road and invited out old neighbors to join us. My recollection is that was our last year of the parade. 
After moving to Fairfax Road, we began an early morning flag raising ceremony. The bird house was removed from its pole and a flag was raised while dad played his trumpet. Then we would have a delicious breakfast. These are some of my favorite childhood memories.
Kathleen
but my earliest memories of the 4th of July were participating in the neighborhood parade. It started in Placentia, California on Hamer Drive. All the neighbors met at our house. 
They could come and decorate their tricycles, bicycles, wagons, etc. We would use crepe paper and flags, etc. We also made hats out of paper plates and 
newspaper. Mom would often have special red, white, and blue clothing for us to wear. Then we would march around the block.
When we moved to Ohio, the tradition continued for a few years. Our first 4th of July in Ohio was in 1969 where the parade started at our house on Corydon Road. 
I believe the parade continued until 1972. That spring we moved to Fairfax Road and invited out old neighbors to join us. My recollection is that was our last year of the parade. 
After moving to Fairfax Road, we began an early morning flag raising ceremony. The bird house was removed from its pole and a flag was raised while dad played his trumpet. Then we would have a delicious breakfast. These are some of my favorite childhood memories.Kathleen
We had at least 2 more years of parades in the Fairfax house. One when we decorated the red toyota and Ginny was on top of the car posing as Thomas Jefferson and Martha was Betsy Ross. I think it was the next year that we decorated the Pacer with Jon riding as George Washington and Martha as Betsy Ross, once again.
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