FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2008
LAKESIDE, Ohio – Lakeside’s 2008 Fourth of July festivities commence at Perry Park with the children’s bike parade at 10:30 a.m. Parade participants will gather at 10 a.m. to decorate and prepare bikes. Following the bike parade, the Lakeside float parade begins at 11 a.m.; float registration forms are available at the Lakeside Association Office, 236 Walnut Avenue. This year’s grand marshal will be Elva Thomas, former hostess of the Abigail’s Tea Room, a well-known member of the community who dedicated tirelessly to the historic Lakeside eatery for over 30 years.
Lakeside’s annual Fourth of July Celebration will continue with a Neighborhood BBQ Cookout in front of the Hotel Lakeside, 150 Maple Avenue. The lunch service begins at 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., while the dinner service opens 5 – 7 p.m. BBQ ribs prepared by Chef Tebeau plus grilled chicken and burgers will be sold as a boxed lunch, including potato salad or coleslaw, baked beans, corn on the cob, slice of melon and iced tea, lemonade or bottled water. Burgers and hot dogs will be sold individually. The same items will be offered at dinner from 5 – 7 p.m.
Swing’s the Thing, a 16-member ensemble based in central Ohio, will entertain with their big band sounds at the Steele Memorial Bandstand at 5 p.m. United in their love of music and the big band sounds, Swing’s the Thing includes a rhythm section, five saxophones, four trombones and four trumpets.
At dusk, a spectacular display of fireworks will conclude the day’s festivities as visitors congregate along the lakefront as they have since 1899, the earliest recorded date of this tradition at Lakeside.
Known as the Chautauqua on Lake Erie, Lakeside is a family destination that has pioneered the act of nurturing mind, body and spirit since 1873. Lakeside has its roots in the Methodist camp meeting tradition, and is one of the few remaining communities of its kind in the United States. Located between Cleveland and Toledo on Lake Erie’s south shore, Lakeside is a gated community; admission to the grounds requires a one-day gate pass of $16.50 (adults), $11.50 (youth ages 12-18) and children 11 and under are free. In addition, there is an auto fee of $6.75. For more information on the Lakeside Chautauqua summer season, visit www.lakesideohio.com or call 1-866-9LAKESIDE.