City's 4th event offers activities for all ages
The Fourth of July, celebrated by all Americans, holds special meaning for everyone.
For Brittanee Scarpone, 6, of Concord Township, the Fourth marks the birth of our nation, as well as her own.
"She wanted to come to Freedom Celebration and get her face painted before her birthday party/barbecue," said Jack Scarpone, Brittanee's father.
Children's face painting was just one of the draws at Freedom Celebration, the free event held annually at Butler Memorial Park.
"The city needs more community events like this," said Zachary Boltz of Center Township, who was attending the celebration for the first time.
"It's a beautiful weekend for it, too. You can't beat this weather."
Children's games, a dunk tank, bingo, a 50/50 raffle and a Butler Street Machine Association car show also were part of what made the day so special for all ages.
For John Maharg of Butler, the Fourth also marks the day he acquired his 1940 LaSalle, a General Motors model created to fill the price gap between Cadillac and Buick.
"I brought this car home on the Fourth of July 1975," Maharg said.
"It was 35 years old when I bought it, and, as of today, I've had it for 35 years."
Maharg said he restored the car in 1989 and it packs a punch under the hood, but needs to be driven with some muscle since it has hydraulic brakes and no power steering.
"It runs just as fast as you want to hang on to it," he joked.
For those too young to get behind the wheel, watermelon seed spitting, a water balloon toss and balloon artist gave children plenty to do.
"I think it's great. It's family oriented, and you don't have to have a bunch of money to do it," said Tyrone Smith of Butler.
The Salvation Army in Butler provided the all-American meal — a hot dog, bag of chips and drink — for $1.50 all day.
"They say there's no such thing as a free lunch, but this is about as close as I guess you'll get," said Gary Peterson of Harmony.
The city coupled the events in the park with those in Pullman Park.
The Butler BlueSox took on the Lorain County Ironmen in the afternoon, followed by a free performance by the band Full Circle.
The evening wrapped up with fireworks at the park at dusk.
