Children's Parades in Oak Bluffs, Aquinnah Kick Off Fourth of July Festivities
The 18th annual kid's parade steps off, with Ellie Glab and Grace Rehak carrying the sign.
The 18th annual kid's parade steps off, with Ellie Glab and Grace Rehak carrying the sign.
Cousins Rowan Turner, Noah James (with glasses), Anders Turner, Morgan Turner, and Grace James are ready to roll.
Cousins Rowan Turner, Noah James (with glasses), Anders Turner, Morgan Turner, and Grace James are ready to roll.
Ginger Johns ready for the Camp Ground parade.
Ginger Johns ready for the Camp Ground parade.
Parade founders and grand marshals Jodie and Bob Falkenberg.
Parade founders and grand marshals Jodie and Bob Falkenberg.
Maggie Whelden is in the holiday spirit.
Maggie Whelden is in the holiday spirit.
Three cheers from the red, white, and blue (and bikes).
Three cheers from the red, white, and blue (and bikes).
One of the younger parade participants, Sam Burl, with mom Melissa Burl.
One of the younger parade participants, Sam Burl, with mom Melissa Burl.
Flag bearer Bob Bogle leads the band of Hazel Allen, Betsy Bogle, Bill Sittard, John Freeman,and Al Jacobsen
Flag bearer Bob Bogle leads the band of Hazel Allen, Betsy Bogle, Bill Sittard, John Freeman,and Al Jacobsen
Parade winds past Camp Ground's gingerbread houses.
Parade winds past Camp Ground's gingerbread houses.
Eliot Stead, age 8, is riding in style.
Eliot Stead, age 8, is riding in style.
Ryan Cunningham, 3, and Caesar the dog.
Ryan Cunningham, 3, and Caesar the dog.
A patriotic group up-Island.
A patriotic group up-Island.
A line of classic cars ready for the Aquinnah parade.
A line of classic cars ready for the Aquinnah parade.
Even the littlest parade participants had big spirit.
Even the littlest parade participants had big spirit.
Waiting for the parade to pass in the Island's smallest town.
Waiting for the parade to pass in the Island's smallest town.
The day began with facepainting and doughtnuts.
The day began with facepainting and doughtnuts.
A musical interlude at the Camp Ground.
A musical interlude at the Camp Ground.
Parade passes Gay Head Light in its new location.
Parade passes Gay Head Light in its new location.
Classic cars fly Old Glory to celebrate Fourth of July.
Classic cars fly Old Glory to celebrate Fourth of July.
Three cheers for Aquinnah!
Three cheers for Aquinnah!
Fourth of July started out in style on the Vineyard with short but sweet parades in Oak Bluff and Aquinnah. In a tradition started 19 years ago, marchers of all ages gathered at the Camp Ground in Oak Bluffs for a kid's parade around the Camp Ground's famous gingerbread houses. Parade grand marshals Jodie and Bob Falkenberg led a parade of children, adults and dogs, all properly adorned in red, white, and blue. Bicycles and wagons were decorated for the occassion as the merry band marched on.
In Aquinnah, the 13th annual children's parade made its way down South Road and traveled past the newly-relocated Gay Head Light. Len Butler, one of the champions of the relocation effort, was this year's parade grand marshal. The parade, put on by the Old South Road Neighborhood Association, was followed by a treasure hunt on the beach.