Celebrating the Fourth: Lindberg Park Style

Had Norman Rockwell ever lived in Culver City, his paintings would have had better weather and demographics. 

Case in point: July 4th in Studio Village, aka Linberg Park.  Over 20 years ago, when our eldest daughter was just before pre-school age, one of our neighbors went to the library and obtained some tape cassettes of John Souza's parade music.  Six families gathered on Pickford Avenue the morning of July 4 with our red wagons and a tricycle or three adorned with American flags and red, white and blue crepe paper. 

Behind a boom box blaring Mr. Souza's standards, we marched up and down the blocks of the Lindberg Park neighborhood, waiving at anyone who we happened by until we wended our way to the park at the old playground.  There, celebrating with popsicles, we played a while until nap time, all returning home to our own celebrations until the Culver City Exchange Club's fireworks display. 

We had so much fun, we gathered again the following July 4th to discover not six families but a block of families all decked out for the parade.  The third year, a couple of 100 neighbors and friends gathered for these same festivities, ending with a big potluck lunch, games for the kids and fun times. 

There are about 400 homes in our little neighborhood, with some incredible and incredibly talented people.  The mantle has been passed and others now organized our "little" parade.  A float was constructed and has continued to be reconstructed each year.  People stepped up to donate and contribute.

 Soon, our parade was blocks long, with the float leading the way, followed by bicyclists, roller bladders, skateboarders, red wagons and tricycles with a block party finish and a huge potluck lunch.  I cook the hot dogs, and in general maintain the food tables.  Others bring homemade goodies, such as awesome chili, salads, fruits, desserts and … stuff!! 

Bouncers are there for children, porta-potties for those who need them and beverages for the thirsty.  Live music performed by incredibly talented neighbors, adults and children alike booms in the air. 

This is the painting Norman Rockwell should have painted!  Families coming together, children, grandparents, new neighbors and original owners in joyful celebration of not just our National Day of Independence, but in homage to our little pocket of Culver City.  Not many in our neighborhood actually see the parade, as it appears all of us are in the parade!

By late afternoon, multiple block parties are under way--and at nightfall many of us merely sit down and look up at the still incredible Exchange Club fireworks display only a few hundred yards away at the high school fields. 

I love Culver City for so many reasons.  Here we moved to raise our family, and here we enjoy simple events that have so much more depth and meaning with family, neighbors, friends and camaraderie than our founders might have dreamed of when they forged our great nation.

Coming soon: See exclusive Patch photos of this year's parade!