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.
