Old-fashioned fun at the Brockport Fourth of July

Democrat and Chronicle

Decorated bicycles, wagons and strollers make their way along Park Avenue in Brockport during the Children's Parade, one of the activities Brockport held to celebrate the Fourth of July.

When Brockport celebrates the Fourth of July, it's a true community celebration.

There are no flashy midway games, no carnival rides and no petting zoos.

But there's plenty of family, and plenty of fun.

And even if some of the kids aren't quite sure what they're celebrating, they're still happy to deck out their bikes, trikes and Big Wheels with red, white and blue streamers and pinwheels and march in the children's parade.

"I like everything about the parade," said 5-year-old Mason Butler shyly, sporting his star-spangled sunglasses and playing with the patriotic-colored streamers tied to his handlebars. "I like to dress up lots."

Coming out to the Old Fashioned Fourth of July at the Morgan-Manning House in Brockport is becoming a tradition for the Butler family. Mason's mom Crystal Butler said this is her son's second year marching. Meanwhile, dad Matt Butler pushed their little daughter Eleanor in a stroller behind her big brother.

For them, the Fourth is about freedom and pride of country, made all the more poignant by Matt's service in the Marines.

With her son Liam Swain queuing up his Big Wheel for the big 10:30 a.m. event, Susan Swain said the day is about "Freedom, family and fun times together."

Gianluca Pettinari, 1, of Brockport and his brother Domenico,4, who is blowing on a pinwheel, play with their decorations after riding in the Children's Parade.

Children riding decorated bicycles, wagons and strollers march along Park Avenue as part of the Fourth of July celebration.

And the amusements offered at the Morgan-Manning House were mostly of the sort that wouldn't have been too out of place on that same lawn when the house was built in the 1850s: croquet, tug-of-war, badminton and ring toss. There was even a cake walk.

"This event started many, many years ago with the idea of 'let's get the community together for a celebration,'" said Mary Lynne Turner, a volunteer with the Western Monroe Historical Society, which sponsors the event. "What better way to celebrate the Fourth than to come out, have a hot dog or a hamburger and enjoy each other?"

In a red, white and blue Red Wings jersey and flag-themed boarding shorts, Stefan Garrison proudly waved Old Glory as he led the parade.

"That was so much fun," he said afterwards. "The kids moved for me, they supported me. I worked hard to be the Grand Marshal."

As for what the day was about, Garrison was clear: "This is to celebrate my independence and to say '"Happy Birthday, America!'"

MCDERMOT@Gannett.com