ON THE TOWN

Go Fourth & Party!

Gayle Rudolph, 9, left, and Jamie Byrd, 11, at the Fourth of July party at Belmont Country Club.

Families, food, fun, and fireworks made for fantastic Independence Day celebrations hosted by area clubs, businesses, and community groups. Many folks showed their patriotism by wearing red, white, and blue as they feasted on traditional picnic buffets laden with hot dogs, baked burgers, baked beans, and more.

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The Blade's Red, White, KABOOM presented by Taylor and Humana in downtown Toledo was Thursday along the Maumee River. Some folks attended a VIP affair for fireworks viewing from the balcony of Imagination Station with members and guests of the Toledo Club and The Blade.

Stone Oak Country Club got a head start on celebrating Independence Day. The club's annual celebration was Wednesday with rock climbing, inflatables, face painting, food, and more than 30 minutes of fireworks accompanied by patriotic music for more than 800 members, guests, and neighbors. Many of the members drove their decorated golf carts to the event and parked on the driving range to watch the fireworks.

Carranor Hunt and Polo Club members gathered at the club Wednesday for a barbecue before going their separate ways to see the Maumee-Perrysburg fireworks. Many folks on the river and nearby enjoyed the display from their homes, including Jonathan Orser and Deborah Born, who hosted their annual barbecue prepared by Carranor Hunt and Polo Club at his riverfront home.

Sylvania Country Club's celebration with dinner, children's activities, golf, and tennis was Tuesday. Like other country clubs, the fireworks entertained people at parties in homes along the fairways.

Toledo Country Club's fireworks were washed out by the storms but everyone enjoyed the barbecue, salads, and desserts that were moved indoors on June 29.

Belmont Country Club's expected crowd was a bit smaller than usual because of stormy weather on June 29, but the party was a lot of fun with dancing, face painting, and a tasty dinner topped with ice cream novelties, cookies, and more. Gray clouds hovered overhead as folks kept watch in case they needed to make a quick dash for cover. The skies cleared for a beautiful fireworks display with patriotic tunes to match, thanks to event chairman Alicia Wagner, wife of John Wagner, and Holly Bennett, wife of Bob Bennett. Fairway parties were held at the homes of Dick and Jackie Schwartz, and Breen and Tara Lyden while other neighbors had small family gatherings.