Joelle James

Celebrants in Lititz hit mother lode of fun
Lancaster (PA) Intelligencer Journal, July 5, 2003
By Laura M. Good

When Alexandra Meyers was born, the nation celebrated -- literally. Across the country, there were parties, picnics and fireworks.

To celebrate her first birthday Friday afternoon, Alexandra and her 3-year-old brother, Casey, participated in the 14th annual baby parade at the Lititz Springs Park Fourth of July celebration, this year dubbed "Lights of Liberty." Dressed head-to-toe in camouflage, Alexandra and Casey sat in what used to be a wagon as their father pulled them along. The wagon, which took about a week to transform, now doubles as a baby Humvee. "My brother is in the Marines and went to Iraq," the children's mother, Hannah Yoder, said. "We thought it would be neat to dress them up and support the Marines." The Navy also was represented in the parade, as Debbie Gass transformed her 8-month-old son's bassinet into the USS Lititz, a battleship made from tablecloth, duct tape, a pool noodle, cardboard boxes, paint and some patriotic decorations. "Because of the war, I wanted to give a tribute to the troops," Gass said. "I wanted to do an aircraft carrier, but I can't get too carried away. I have so much fun making the float, and they're just so cute when they're babies."

Tracy Murray's four youngest children won the grand prize for their colonial-looking rickshaw, made from a goat cart and lined with ribbons, candles and fresh flowers. Murray made her children's Revolutionary-era costumes by hand. "I like dressing up," said 10-year-old Aaron Murray, who helped pull his younger siblings in the rickshaw. Even with temperatures in the mid-90s, he added, "It would be fun to stay in (costume) longer."

The baby parade was among the many events that attracted about 15,000 people to Lititz for the town's 186th Fourth of July celebration. "For eight dollars (the cost of admission at the gate), you are never going to see this kind of entertainment anywhere else," co-chair of the event Jim Nuss, said. "We try to give people the most bang for their buck." The committee succeeded in doing just that. In addition to the baby parade, Friday's lineup of events included everything from a karate exhibition and a world champion juggler to an array of musical performances, children's games, a hands-on activity for kids called "Panning for Gold With General Sutter" and, of course, fireworks.

Chris Ivey, the world champion juggler originally from Lititz, launched his juggling career on the streets of Baltimore. Before that, "He would spend hours as a kid practicing with his boombox (in the park)," Nuss said. "I'd be mowing, and he'd be juggling around. I used to think, "Man, this kid is obsessed with juggling.' Now he's the world champion."

The Dovells, The Orlons and Danny and the Juniors, whose hits include "At the Hop," "Rock 'n Roll Is Here to Stay" and "Some Kind of Wonderful," were among the musical groups to perform Friday. "I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd be paying eight dollars to see all three of these (bands)," Nuss said. "I never thought they'd be here in Lititz Springs Park. Sometimes old good songs last forever."

From Star Search, 12-year-old singer Joelle James also performed at the celebration Friday. "I heard her practice yesterday, and I couldn't believe it," Nuss said. "I looked over, and there's this little girl on the stage."

A $30,000 fireworks display, full of bursting hearts, stars, flags and a Statue of Liberty, capped off the evening. Choreographed to music, including songs by Enya, Def Leppard and AC/DC, the display required 50 hours of computer programming and took three days to set up. "The music is what makes it different," said John Sagaria of Fireworks Productions Friday afternoon. "Shows that are choreographed tell a story. Other ones are just fireworks."

Nuss said the residents of Lititz, including almost 300 volunteers, make this celebration such a success. "This town is phenomenal," he said. "We've got a great town and great people. They always support events like this."

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