Participants in the Northshore Children’s Parade give a salute for Independence Day. The neighborhood tradition is about getting kids to have fun together and remember the meaning of the Fourth of July.

Text and Photos
By Lilli Dwyer
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — The cacophony coming from the shores of Lake Wawasee each Fourth of July is a beloved tradition, caused by the kids marching through their neighborhood’s backyard, banging pots and pans, playing patriotic music and waving flags in celebration of Independence Day. The kids of Northshore, as well as their parents and grandparents, got dressed up in their finest red, white and blue to participate in the tradition Friday morning, July 4.

The parade was first started by veterans Jack Feighner and the late Bill Beemer in the 1960s. The tradition fell off for a period of about 20 years, but was started up again about five years ago and has continued to brighten up the neighborhood each year.

At the end of the parade, kids and adults enjoyed some cookies and juice. For the second year in a row now, the kids also played a kickball game before going home for lunch. Bob Fanning, a longtime resident who helps organize the parade, said the game is part of helping the neighborhood kids get to know each other.

“There’s so many kids in the neighborhood now, it’s good for them to get out and meet each other, learn who’s the same age, who’s good to play with,” he explained. “They also need to understand what the Fourth of July is all about, not just eating hot dogs.”