Friday, June 25, 2010
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Neighbors | Submitted.Canfield's Independence Day celebration will include the sounds of the high school marching band as they play in the annual parade July 5.
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There will be plenty of games for Canfield's youth during this years's Fourth of July celebration in Canfield.
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The Firecracker Fun Run and Kid’s Foot Race will begin Canfield's celebration July 5 with registration at 7:30 a.m. at Township Hall.
By ABBY SLANKER
Forty-five years ago, a group of Canfield residents organized the first Fourth of July parade and celebration. It was much smaller, but was well received, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Today, the committee is made up of a hardworking group of 15 people, each with a specific set of duties, managing the various parts that make up the day. The committee is also assisted by numerous volunteers, including high school students.
The general chairperson position rotates among several of the more seasoned members and many have been loyally serving for many years. Some are new to the committee in the last few years and two are a new generation.
Alexa Magnuson started working on kids’ games while in high school and now chairs that group as a college freshman. Jeff Moliterno, also a college student, is assisting with the antique cars group, part of the approximately 100 units expected in the parade.
In the future, this new group will assume the roles of leaders of this committee.
Barb Fisher, advertising and public relations chairperson, joined the committee in 1975 and has been involved in various capacities throughout the years.
Fisher has lived in Canfield since 1964 and was employed at Farmers National Bank for 35 years prior to her retirement.
Fisher said her favorite part of planning the Fourth of July event is working with people who enjoy this as much as she does.
“Creating an opportunity to honor, as Grand Marshal, some people who have done a great deal for Canfield and its citizens, is a wonderful experience,” Fisher said.
Carol Salmon assists Fisher in her duties with the intent of taking over Fisher’s responsibilities in the next couple years when Fisher retires from the committee. She is also assistant to parade chair Steve Rogers.
Salmon and her husband, Jack, moved to Canfield in February 1997.
Several years ago, Carol and Jack, who is a co-chair of the antique autos committee, rode in the parade with their granddaughter, Grace.
“Grace was 3 and we gave her a small flag and taught her to say, ‘flag, freedom.’ She waved her flag along the parade route shouting ‘flag, freedom.’ Hearts melted!,” she said.
Rogers asked them to serve on the committee and they said they would be happy to help the community in any way.
“I feel a strong commitment to what I call ‘Caring for America’ - stepping up to the plate as a community volunteer. I also help a national women’s organization raise scholarship funds for women all over the U.S.,” Salmon said.
Salmon said her favorite part of planning the Fourth of July event is the dedication and camaraderie of the committee.
“This year, volunteers will spend hours on July 4 setting up the green activities and arrive at 6:30 a.m. the next day to set up the fairgrounds.
The set-up is tiring, but a labor of love. My favorite part is watching the families and people of all ages watch the parade and enjoy the games, concert and after-parade activities. It is truly small town America at its finest!,” she said.
The celebration draws huge crowds and as many as 10,000 people have attended the event. This year, the event will be held Monday, July 5, due to the fact that the Fourth of July falls on Sunday.
The Firecracker Fun Run and Kid’s Foot Race start the day, with registration at 7:30 a.m. at Township Hall, followed by the parade at 10:30 a.m., kids games on the Green and a performance by the Youngstown Symphonic Band in the gazebo at 1 p.m.
For more information, visit www.canfield4thofjuly.com.