by Ann Dennis

Created on: June 29, 2008   Last Updated: April 14, 2010

Give your kids something to do for 4th of July this year.

Many times my neighbors suddenly look at their kids and say, on the 3rd, "What do you want to do tomorrow it's the 4th of July?" But for the past six years the answer has been relatively easy.

"We want to be in the parade!"

Most of the kids in our rural neighborhood belong to our 4-H club and every year, way before the third, they plan a float for the parade. They get to do the traditional things later but the morning is filled with meeting our group at the parade line staging area and putting the float together behind our favorite 4-H leader's husband's large truck. The best part is the fact that the adults get to interact with not only their own children but others as well. Then there is the opportunity for the teens to help the younger children with the decorating. Many times we have flyers or other goodies to hand out and the older kids walk the parade route and hand these things out with the younger representatives of our club waving from the float.

You don't need a club to make a float. Make a family float. Even the family car can be entered as a float and every family is unique in some way. Celebrate your specialness and show your neighbor how proud you are that you can speak out in a free country. The only caution is to make sure that if you attach anything to your car's paint that it is safe for the paint. There are window paints available for the rear window but make sure, again, to consider safety before putting it on. You don't want to obscure your sight in back. If you can pull a small trailer be sure that all your decorations can be securely attached or be put on at the staging area. There is nothing sadder than a completed float that comes apart on the drive from home to the parade.

Remember that you will have to contact the parade organizers and sign up or get instructions and a number. Here would be a good place to tell you to try and make sure to find your spot and keep it. It'll be easier for an announcer to be talking about you rather than the previous float if everyone gets in line the way they are numbered. That is what the numbers are for.

Safety is important during the day more than any other. There will be lots of people. The Parade will move slowly but will start and stop so watch what's happening ahead. With the low speed your children will probably not be as careful about a moving car so watch what's going on behind. And there will be candy strewn on the street from previous floats and maybe your own. Little kids will be running out to pick it up and will not look around. So watch what's going on to the left and right. Yes it can be nerve wracking but we've done it for years and you can too. There is a certain satisfaction that comes when your child smiles delightedly and tells you in a high voice how happy he/she is to have been in the parade.

Put your kids out there and show the world that you are proud of them and how creative they can be. At the end of the parade go on to the picnic and swimming and water melon and Ice cream. By the end of the day all of you will be exhausted and happy.

And don't forget the fireworks remember to take blankets and water and bug spray.

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