Elizabeth Wilson — Staff writer
LAKEPORT — For Gaylen Shepherd and her daughter, Alexa, from Lucerne, having a good time at Library Park in Lakeport for Fourth of July is something they look forward to each year. As part of their family fun, they have the tradition of hosting “Frostbites,” the hot dog stand.
“We come every year,” said Shepherd, laughing as Alexa, armed with two spray bottles, doused her in water. For Alexa, the best part of the holiday is by far the fireworks. “I love the finale,” she said enthusiastically.
Families in Library Park gathered to watch fireworks, share a picnic, barbecue, or a dip in the lake to cool off despite Wednesday being an especially sizzling Fourth, with temperatures topping 104 degrees.
“It”s sooo hot,” said Kristin Mendez of Ukiah, who was at Library Park for a picnic with her family. “But it sure beats being in Humboldt for Fourth of July, ?cause there”s too much fog there,” said Mendez. “Here you definitely don”t have to worry about fog.”
Her cousin, freckle-faced youngster Cody Mendez and his friend Dustin Edwards of Fortuna, waved little flags in the spirit of the Fourth and munched on hotdogs, while discussing the merits of the Fourth. Both claimed that the fireworks display was the best part, and said they were looking forward to experiencing seeing fireworks over Clear Lake for the first time.
The crowd that had gathered during the afternoon grew bigger and bigger as people streamed in to stake out good viewing spots for the fireworks display at dusk. Although the boat parade was canceled, the crowd of several hundred found plenty to do and lots of people watching as dozens of boats and personal watercraft zoomed by in the water. People on Main Street window shopped under the fluttering of several dozen flags that shopkeepers had flown above their doors. One block over on Park Street, the roadway was closed to accommodate a street fair, where the Shepherd”s hot dog stand was located among other vendors selling Fourth of July-themed gifts, along with jewelry, clothes and star-spangled motorcycle helmets. The only downside to the day seemed to be the swarms of lake gnats, but those were easily brushed away, or as several dozen youngsters opted to deal with the situation ? they yelled “ewwww!” and raced to jump in the lake.
Contact Elizabeth Wilson at ewilson@record-bee.com
