Baby boomers

Kids love fireworks but don't quite grasp meaning of holiday

Jackson Flynn, 7, knew why his neighborhood was gathered Tuesday to watch a parade and eat Popsicles.

Sort of.

“Freedom and stuff,” Jackson explained with a shrug.

Whether Jackson’s words could explain his Independence Day zeal, his bike sent a clear message: It was adorned with an American flag sticking off the back.

He was one of more than 75 children who rode bikes, scooters, toy ATVs and skateboards Tuesday morning in an informal parade along Tumbleweed Drive in northwest Lawrence.

The United States may have been celebrating the signing of a document – the Declaration of Independence – that happened 230 years ago, and much of the talk was about older military veterans or those who have died.

But it was clear that at neighborhood parades and other patriotic gatherings in Lawrence, a focus was put on children and teaching them the meaning of the holiday.

“Because it means independence – when the Declaration of Independence was signed,” said 9-year-old Karen Campbell, who rode her bike in the Tumbleweed parade. “It still means independence, and it’s just a day to help people around the world know we’re free.”

At the Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza Tuesday evening at Burcham Park, organized by the Lawrence Jaycees, 11-year-old McKenzie Hine said she liked Independence Day because of the fireworks, among other reasons.

“I get to be around my family,” said McKenzie, who lives in Olathe but was sitting with her grandfather, Ken McKenzie, of Lawrence. “And I like to celebrate America.”

Rebecca Nolen, 10, had a personal reason to celebrate the holiday. Her father is Sgt. Todd Nolen, a helicopter mechanic stationed in South Korea with the U.S. Army.

“It means we celebrate our independence,” Rebecca said, “and celebrate being ourselves, and have fun honoring our country.”

She spent time Monday night listening to patriotic music and instant-messaging her father. On Tuesday, she was sitting at Burcham Park with several thousand other fireworks-watchers.

“I don’t think people really get what it’s about,” Rebecca said of Independence Day.

Conner Phillips, 6, might be one of those who needs another lesson. His parents said they sat him down Tuesday morning – before he rode in the Tumbleweed Drive parade – to explain the true meaning of the holiday.

But Conner had other priorities when asked why he was celebrating the Fourth of July.

“I like parades,” he said, red syrup dripping down his white shirt. “And Popsicles.”

Breaking the law

A citywide ban didn’t keep some Lawrence residents from shooting fireworks inside the city limits.
Sgt. Michael Monroe of the Lawrence Police Department said that between 3 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, his department had responded to between 40 and 50 fireworks complaints.
He said his sense was there would be fewer calls this year than last year.
“It’s been busy, but we’ve kept our heads above water,” he said.
He said he expected more calls overnight.
“People tend to have more patience in the evening, not when they’re wanting to go to bed,” Monroe said.
The penalty for a fireworks violation can range from $100 to $200, but officers can decide simply to confiscate the fireworks and have them destroyed.
Other than the fireworks calls, Monroe said Independence Day had gone by relatively quietly.
“I think everybody’s pretty well behaved,” he said.