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In a twist on tradition, parade will honor fallen lion statue

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By Chelsey Levingston, Staff Writer Updated 7:35 AM Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Franklin’s Fourth of July Parade will “Remember the Lion” in a twist on a patriotic theme, the first event organized by the new special events committee.

The parade theme is in honor of one of the lion statues on the Second Street bridge that was destroyed by a tree during last year’s windstorm. The city is in the process of securing funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and will eventually restore the lion, according to Fire Chief Jonathan Westendorf.

But in the meantime, Saturday’s parade will pay homage to the missing guardian.

“This is a break from tradition, instead of doing just a patriotic theme, so it should be interesting just to see what they come up with,” said Betsy Westendorf, special events committee member.

So far, there are 30 parade participants for the event that kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 4, by the bridge on Park Avenue and ends at Community Park.

The parade entry deadline is today, July 1, and applications are available at Franklin Public Library, Franklin city building and www.franklinohio.org.

Float awards will be given for best theme, most creative and city council’s choice, said Betsy Westendorf. There also will be a most patriotic cub award for the best patriotic or lion dress to entrants 12 and younger.

New this year is a carnival featuring a slide, snow cones, cotton candy, face painting, the fire department safety trailer and police department fingerprinting, she said.

The carnival is sponsored by JD Legends, Franklin Party Supply, Walmart, American Messenging and Rumpke, said City Manager Jim Lukas. In a few years, they hope to build up to fireworks, he said.

‘Remember the Lion’ Fourth of July Parade

Who: City of Franklin annual Fourth of July Parade open to the public

What: Parade honors lion statue on Second Street bridge that was destroyed by windstorm with new Most Patriotic Cub award and post parade carnival.

When: 10 a.m. Saturday, followed by carnival

Where: Parade starts at Park Avenue, heads south on Main Street and turns on Sixth Street to end at Community Park. Carnival at city building, 1 Benjamin Franklin Way.

How: Applications available at Franklin Public Library, Franklin city building and www.franklinohio.org. Deadline is today.

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At least preacher has stopped using commas between every senseless word he spews!

Shawn
2:30 PM, 7/1/2009

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City Manager Jim Lukas said," In a few years, they hope to build up to fireworks". Has he never been to Hollywood in the past 5 yrs??? We have beteer fireworks than WEBN!!! Anyone east of the lion bridge is by appointment only!!

Big Slick
1:59 PM, 7/1/2009

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franklin has went to devils hell and is geting worse geter done for jesus not devil god bless everbody and love everbody always love in chirst preacher.

preacher,franklin ohio
9:52 AM, 7/1/2009

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It is my understanding that the lions are important to those in Franklin. I don't have a problem with combining a small bit of Franklin history with the country's. My interpretation of what Ms. Westendorf said in the story was that it is simply a twist in conjunction with the typical patriotic theme. It may be neat to see what people come up with.

transplant
9:47 AM, 7/1/2009

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I agree it is about our freedom and country not a lion. I do miss the lion but to be a main focal point on a 4th of July parade is crap!

bs
9:27 AM, 7/1/2009

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