OCEAN PARK The 2011 Fourth of July Parade in downtown Ocean Park was a sight to behold. From the Grassroots Garbage Gang unicycle rider to the guys on hogs, from the Army Band to the belly dancers, from Okies Thriftway shopping cart drill team to the quilted car there was something for everyone.

There were hundreds more people lining the streets this year than lastin many places six deep with kids at ground level (some drawing on the street in chalk), elders in wheelchairs and parents behind or seated in the beds of pick-up trucks backed up abutting the street. 

Made in USA the Gruetter family of robots came in first after spending 40 hours on costumes; Jacks Country Store roasting a felted pig won second; and the Grassroots Garbage Gang earned third place. What could be more fun than waving to friends in the parade or across the street; unless it was trying to catch the variety of candies, flags and goodies being thrown or handed out by parade participants.

After the judging in the parade ground lot on U Street, the parade began promptly at noon and wrapped up just before 1 p.m. when the crowd burst open like a melon that had sat in the sun too long. The crowd dispersed to Adelaides for shave ice or coffee, to the Art in the Park across from Ocean Park Elementary School, or into Docs for a cold beer and a hot dog.

Suffice it to say, a good time was had by all.