On the Town: Family fun puts frosting on the Fourth

Showing off your patriotism can be a blast, whether you re watching fireworks in vibrant reds, whites, and blues, among other hues, making a splash in a pool, or munching on hamburgers and ribs. For local country club folks, it was all of the above, despite interference from Mother Nature.

The first to light the fuse on fun was Belmont Country Club for an All-American Cookout on Wednesday. Nearly 600 showed up for cookout cuisine, a DJ and dancing, clowns, face painters, inflatable toys, clowns, and rides on a caterpillar train for kids, and fireworks.

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Not to be outdone, Mother Nature displayed sparklers, noisemakers, and rain that put the damper on the club s fireworks, so the man-made show was moved to the next night. While only about 100 showed up, staff volunteered to ensure those who did return had a good and a dry time.

Thursday dawned damp but festivities plunged ahead at Toledo and Stone Oak country clubs, and the Delp Co. marked its 50th birthday along with the nation s 232nd.

At Toledo Country Club, the dampness forced the big bash, complete with barbecue and fireworks for 250, to be on Saturday night instead. But the club didn t waste time; about 150 enjoyed a quiet buffet topped off with a patriotic cake.

At Stone Oak, more than 600 showed up for fun stuff for adults and kids: rides and inflatables, face painting, a dunk tank, a rock wall to climb, plus popcorn and cotton candy, and a barbecue with ribs and the rest. Fireworks went off as planned.

Talking about family affairs, the Delp Co. fits the bill. In 1958 the late John Delp founded the firm and Cleves and Brad Delp have taken the financial services firm to its 50th birthday bash on Thursday night. Pulling it off required special planning when the tent and the ground under it flooded. The party took place after moving to dry ground the parking lot. There, about 500 to 600 people clients, friends, and family, including employees celebrated with Pattrick s magic, music by Johnny Rocker and the Hitmen, a clown, mini golf, and barbecue from Gladieux s, Tony Packo s, Shorty s, Mancy s, and more. Confections were decorated with the Delp logo and the nation s colors of red, white, and blue were everywhere.

On Friday, Sylvania Country Club rolled out the sun for a poolside celebration for kids and adults. Making a splash were relay and a greased watermelon races, a chip-off contest on the floating golf course. The big kids went overboard for the can-toss, trying to catch cans while jumping off the diving board. Fun and food could be had on dry land in a kids camp with inflatables and a barbecue to fuel up for fireworks.

And at Inverness, members and guests splashed in the pool, had a blast at a junior carnival, ate barbecue, and enjoyed fireworks.