The Lakewood 4th of July Parade, Lakewood, Dallas, Texas, God Bless America

_Pictures from 2001_

_Pictures from 2000_

Dallas Special Event Permit Conditions and Restrictions

All Parade participants riding or standing on floats or motorized vehicles must wear safety belts, have hand holds or back supports securing them in place while the float or vehicle is in motion.

All Parade participants who drive floats or motorized vehicles shall have a valid driver’s license and vehicle liability insurance.

No candy or materials may be thrown along the parade route. The distribution of gifts, merchandise, literature or other material along the parade route is prohibited unless prior approval is given by the parade director.

Squirt guns, silly string or other items potentially dangerous to spectators or participants are prohibited during the parade.

Obtain a City of Dallas contract from the Park Department for use of park facilities by contacting 214/670-8890.

Provide sufficient trash maintenance service during and following hours of operation.

Thirty (30) days prior to the event, deliver written notice to all owners of real property abutting the parade route. The notice must include the following information: (1) Event date, time, and location; (2) an application for a Parade Permit has been filed; and (3) interested persons may contact the Office of Special Events at 650 Griffin Street, Dallas, TX 75202, 214/939-2701.

All permits and licenses must be received not later than ten (10) days prior to your event date.

Northeast Operations Division personnel will be providing adequate escort for the parade per Deputy Chief of the Northeast Operations Division.

_Themes from Years Past_

_Pictures from 2001_

_Pictures from 2000_

_Pictures from Years Past_

The Serapis Flag:

Designed with 13 stripes alternating red , white and blue. This flag was raised by Captain John Paul Jones on the British frigate Serapis during the most famous Revolutionary naval battle.

He was born John Paul in Scotland in 1747 and went to sea when he was only twelve years old. By the time he arrived in Philadelphia in 1775 as an experienced sea captain, he had changed his name to John Paul Jones.

After conducting sea raids on the coast of Britain, he took command in 1779 of a rebuilt French merchant ship, renamed the U.S.S.Bonhomme Richard to honor Benjamin Franklin. On September 23, 1779, Jones engaged the British frigate Serapis in the North Sea, daringly sailing in close, lashing his vessel to the British ship, and fighting the battle at point-blank range. During the fight two of his cannon burst, and the British captain asked Jones if he was ready to surrender. Replied Jones: "Sir, I have not yet begun to fight." The American crew finally boarded the Serapis after the British had struck her colors, and from the deck of the Serapis they watched the U.S.S.Bonhomme Richard sink into the North Sea.