It never fails. Reliving the image of a child watching our cars go by and hearing them say "Mommy look!!! That car is so cool!!!" How can you not come back each year?

The Lake Forest Independence Day celebration started out like so many others - a small neighborhood bike and wagon parade, that just kept growing.

Now thousands of people come out to watch 109 entries take two hours to go the 1 1/4 mile distance. Floats, car clubs, community leaders, bands and churches all participate and love doing it year after year.

And for our reward of cleaning and decorating the cars, we see the image of that same child a thousand times over.

Read on as to how it all plays out beginning with the 3rd of July...

A BBQ follows the parade, but it takes a lot of setup the day before to erect the shade tents and set up the tables and chairs

50 club members and friends will take over this home 24 hours from now...

The morning of the parade begins around 7:30 when everyone gathers for a headcount.

And sometimes we get a real surprise in seeing a car on the road for the first time!

The morning is cool, the cars are cool, but we all know that will only last another hour or so....

Like you do at camp, it's always good to take a photo of everyone just to make sure you still have all of them at the end of the trip...

Let's see how this one looks full size!!!

The activities at the parade site begin with a 5K run/walk

And how cool is it to have one of our club members, being one of the head honchos putting it on!!!

The one in the blue not me!!

Now, that the cars are parked, it's time to head off for an all you can eat pancake breakfast for just $5!!!

This is the lady that started the parade so many years ago!

Sorry, I couldn't resist. I love the weinermobile!

After breakfast, it is time to get serious...with decorations that is. 

Well, maybe we can decorate after a coconut m&m candy break!

These guys to the left are always happy!

Funny Uncle Sam always stops by to take our pictures...

Get me out of here Bob!!!!

Now, check this out. Our activities director went all out on decorations...

Oh, wait it gets better...look to the lower left...

When it is your turn to be underneath??

One of these has to be good....

The parade started for those lower than our 67 starting spot...

Remember that happy family? Still smiling!

How many shots is this going to take?

Sometimes a trunk makes a nice chair...

Oh just sit there...

The flags are waving! It must be time to go!

Parade's over! Time for lunch!

And after a great day of fun...some of the old timers just can't take it anymore...