Politics and Pikachu: What you may have missed at Lexington’s Fourth of July festivities
The traditional and nontraditional came together Thursday for Lexington’s Fourth of July parade, which featured some Taylor Swift, a massive Pikachu, blue-and-white hair and several political statements.
Many attendees — some with decorated hair or clothing — showed their patriotic spirit with American flags in tow. The parade was the centerpiece of daylong festivities downtown.
There were several model cars, a float topped by the Pokemon character and a fire department vehicle blaring Taylor Swift’s “ME!”. Meanwhile, officials from the Lexington police department handed honorary sheriff’s badges to children.
Other floats in the parade were political, with several supporters of local and statewide politicians marching with banners. Among the political attendees was Andy Beshear, Democratic candidate for governor.
But not all political statements were made in the name of a party or candidate.
Breaking the Bronze Ceiling and The Kentucky Woman Suffrage Project — organizations that aim to raise awareness of women throughout history — co-sponsored a float featuring marchers and riders dressed in all white. According to Doraine Bailey of the Kentucky Woman Suffrage Project, the color symbolizes the sentiment of the women’s movement.
“White was used as ‘purity of purpose,’” Bailey said. “It was instituted after the sinking of the Titanic to honor the dead while continuing the movement.”
Bailey said that Independence Day is the perfect time to celebrate woman’s suffrage.
“If you’re celebrating something that took 72 years and was the largest social action movement in American history, why wouldn’t you march in the Fourth of July parade?”
Earlier in the day, Lexington held its annual 10K run, after which runners were able to relax at the Fourth of July festival. For the occasion, food and drink vendors such as Ginocchio’s Pizza, Ramsey’s Diner, Sweet Sisters Shaved Ice, West 6th Brewery, Tito’s Vodka and Budweiser set up stands.
Festivalgoers gathered outside the Old Historic Courthouse and the Robert F. Stephens courthouse plaza. Fifth Third Bank Pavilion was popping off — just like the fireworks were expected to Thursday night — with Lost Cause, a local band, performing live.
At 11 a.m., Fayette County Property Valuation Administrator David O’Neill started a reading of the Declaration of Independence. O’Neill has read the Declaration for 10 of the 20 years it has been a tradition in Lexington.
He said this is his favorite Fourth of July tradition.
“It’s the one day of the year where we can all set aside our differences and celebrate what unites us more than what divides us,” O’Neill said. “It all goes back to the original founding document.”
Souvenirs of the document were handed out to onlookers.
The Downtown Street Festival continues until 6 p.m. with entertainment, concessions, and arts and crafts vendors. Entertainment sites are located at lower Courthouse Plaza, Phoenix Park, the corner of Short and Upper streets and Fifth Third Bank Pavilion. Drivers should expect road closures on Short Street between North Mill Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard.
To top off Lexington’s Fourth of July celebration, fireworks were scheduled to be launched from the R.J. Corman Railyard off Main Street and Oliver Lewis Way at 10 p.m.
This story was originally published July 4, 2019 at 12:52 PM.