KAREN WIGHT -- No Place Like Home

The Fourth of July is a great holiday. It evokes a kind of community

spirit that the founding fathers would be proud of. A chance to remind

our children that freedom is never free, that a barbecue is more fun with

friends, decorating a bike is a good way to spend a day and that we all

need to celebrate the pursuit of happiness.

This will be the 15th year that our family has strolled, biked, pulled,

rolled and skated in the Fourth of July Bike Parade to Mariners Park.

I remember the first year we attended. Annie was 10 months old and we

pushed her in a stroller. I even remember what she was wearing: a little

blue romper with a white collar.

I was amazed at all of the kids decked out in red, white and blue, their

bikes wrapped with crepe paper to thinly disguise the pink Barbie and

green Ninja Turtle frames. There were also red wagons, in-line skates,

strollers, and even a sprinkling of skateboards back then.

The morning started with a flurry of activity and confusion. Meet at the

corner of Mariners and Commodore. Line up, wait for the start. Children

and parents alike buzzed with excitement. We were younger, eyes wider,

arms emptier and ready to bathe in the innocent fun that a day in the

park would bring.

The Bike Parade itself was short and sweet, more participants than

spectators. The crowd of kids and parents washed over the park in a giant

wave of anticipation. Barnaby the Clown led the kids and the gullible

adults in silly, albeit hilarious, games. I watched a few of my friends

and neighbors throw caution to the wind and get lost in the momentary

mayhem.

It was fun back then and it’s still fun now. Like my children, the event

has grown.

Barnaby is still there, madness is the mantra, and a few extra

attractions have been added.

There are mountain climbers, giant slides, obstacle courses and jumping

machines. Newport Aquatic Center sells hot dogs and drinks. The Boy

Scouts sell shaved ice.

The Mariners Elementary School Foundation puts together a silent auction

that has something for everyone.

This year’s awesome auction lineup of loot includes razor scooters,

birthday party packages, skateboard paraphernalia galore (including a

grinding rail), a Shaquille O’Neal jersey (thanks to the Skinner family)

and a custom lemonade stand.

Wow. Dollars are raised for great causes.

Parents and children have fun, get fed and gear up for a summer day full

of activities.

Neighborhoods band together and create celebrations of their own. Flags

are flying high and low, pools are in hot demand and a spot at the beach

is a precious commodity.

Fireworks displays abound and if you can locate yourself correctly, you

can catch Laguna, Big Canyon and the Dunes light up the sky.

If you are a Costa Mesan, you get to enjoy the thrill of fireworks in

your own backyard, literally. My children really love their friends with

a Costa Mesa address on the Fourth of July.

Sparklers are great for the younger ones, but as they progress in age, so

does the desired level of noise and danger. And what is it about

testosterone and the “wall of fire?” This is a concept totally foreign to

me and the interest level is a little disconcerting.

All-American food is the order of the day, although my children request

it every single day of the year. Hamburgers, hot dogs, fried chicken,

corn on the cob, cole slaw, cherry and apple pies.

Every year, I try to throw in a menu item that is a little more

sophisticated (like putting garlic in the mashed potatoes, gasp) and

every year I get shot down for destroying tradition. So no Dijon for our

hot dogs -- it’s bright yellow French’s all the way.

Decorating is simple and straightforward: anything and everything red,

white and blue. From the clothes we wear to the tables we set, we have an

All-American spirit. Stars and stripes are the order of the day.

The Fourth of July is like that. Fun and innocent.

An occasion when it’s o7 de rigueurf7 to play goofy games, spit seeds,

eat anything and everything slightly charred and thrill at the thought of

impending pyrotechnics.

A day when playing is more important than winning; “cool” means eating

ice cream; and baby girls in little blue rompers give their parents

another opportunity to capture the sweetness of childhood.

* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column appears on

Saturdays.

Photo: A sparkler is the perfect way to end a day of celebration.