Parade Committee

Baltimore sizzled its way into the Fourth of July weekend yesterday, as thousands took in parades, fireworks and even a demonstration amid typically hazy, hot and humid weather.In the streets, at state parks and on national battlefields, the nation's 217th birthday celebration got off to a rousing start.But all was not happy amid the high-flying flags and festive floats rolling down the streets during Catonsville's 47th annual Independence Day parade.Nestled among thousands of parade watchers was the Gay and Lesbian Veterans of Maryland Inc., which had been prohibited from participation two years in a row."

For the third year running, I rode with my daughter on July 4 in the bicycle rush in the Towson Fourth of July Parade. Neighbors and unknown spectators cheered as she passed them. My heart swelled as these people encouraged her, telling her that not only is she safe, but has an important place in our community. Thank you, parade goers, for encouraging the children of the bicycle brigade. You are a legendary crowd! However, I am not happy about another legend of the 2011 parade.

Harford's three municipalities will step into the holiday spirit this weekend with parades and tree lightings. Standard fare for each event includes visits with Santa Claus and free hot chocolate, candy canes and cookies. And the one-a-day parade schedule will allow avid fans to watch all three. On Friday night, Havre de Grace's first-Friday-of-the-month activities, which include carriage rides and extended shopping hours, will be punctuated by the Christmas parade, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Karen Green of the county's Parks and Recreation Department said the town's annual event is unique because families are invited to march in the parade.

It appears that a new tradition has been added to the traditional St. Patrick's Day parades that are held in cities with large Irish-American populations.Gay groups now demand the right to take part in the parades. The people who run the parades are appalled, saying they want their kids to see leprechauns, not smooching men, and they reject the applications.They squabble, lawsuits are filed, and a judge finally orders the parade leaders to make room for the gays.It happened first in New York, where the biggest parade is held, and where they are back in court.

"What Christmas Means to Me" will happen in Aberdeen tomorrow! It will start with Breakfast with Santa at Grace United Methodist Church from 7 to 11 a.m. Tickets may be purchased at the door. The Craft Fair at Aberdeen Fire Department will begin at 9 a.m. and last until 2 p.m., and lunch will be available. The Aberdeen Room Museum, at 18 Howard St., will have a special open house to celebrate its 25th anniversary. All are invited for refreshments from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. free of charge.

The Fourth of July just won't be the same in Towson this year.The route for one of the county's oldest parades -- unchanged for almost a century -- is being altered to bypass York Road during a $4.3 million sidewalk-and-roundabout construction project, shifting 150,000 visitors from the main thoroughfare.And the dazzling fireworks display held for decades at Luskin's appliance store -- an alternative for many residents to the crowded display at Oregon Ridge -- is in jeopardy of fizzling now that the company has closed.

The Fourth of July fireworks may have gone off a little early this year with protests over parade plans in area communities, but the holiday promises to be as spectacular as in years past with festivities scheduled throughout the long weekend.G; Following is a roundup of the major events in the area.BaltimoreBaltimore will celebrate Independence Day with three days of activities at the Harborplace amphitheatre. At 5 tonight, the local Top 40/dance group Tiffany will get things started, followed at 9 by the Motown sounds of Part Harmony.

Both the Arbutus parade and Catonsville parade and fireworks were simply wonderful this year! Many thanks and sincere appreciation to the Catonsville Celebrations Committee and the Arbutus parade committee for making these two amazing events happen so smoothly. We are very fortunate to have so many dedicated volunteers who spend hundreds of hours keeping our communities strong and vibrant. My sincere thanks and appreciation goes out to all the hard working parade and fireworks volunteers for a job well done.

Frank Everett Locke, a retired sales manager who played the bagpipes, died of cancer Sunday at the Bonnie Blink Masonic Home in Hunt Valley. The former Timonium resident was 80. Mr. Locke was born and raised in Providence, R.I., and enlisted in the Navy in 1941. After his service in World War II, he attended the University of Minnesota on the GI Bill and earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in 1949. From 1952 until retiring in 1985, Mr. Locke was Middle Atlantic district sales manager for Sundstrand Corp.

Chester, a 5-year-old donkey from Potomac, is among the Marylanders chosen to march in the 1993 Inaugural Parade.So how did he do it?"Chester is very unique -- for a donkey," said Sally Aman, parade spokeswoman. "He has black and white fur, you know."Ms. Aman said more than 500 parade hopefuls applied for the chance to march down Pennsylvania Avenue on Inauguration Day. A committee of experts pared the list to 125.Chester wasn't the only donkey to make the final cut. No fewer than four burros, including a female named Irene from Alabama and a pair of Catalonian donkeys from New Mexico, will be there, too."