While living in Bay View, we got in the habit of spending the Fourth of July with our neighbors at the local park. Admittedly, we don't know most of those neighbors and we were drawn there, initially at least, by the free ice cream. But the result is the same. It's one of the few days a year when the entire neighborhood gathers together to meet and have fun.

Having just returned from our West Side neighborhood park, I can say that the spirit is alive and well out here. The park was packed with people who paraded over from two nearby schools. We saw some folks we know well, some we know in passing and others we see a lot at the playground.

Yes, there was free ice cream, cheap grilled sausages, a bike-decorating contest for the kids, local "dignitaries" and carnival games.

We took part in the face painting and had the best time when the local firemen opened up the water cannon so we could all have a cool, wet run through the grass. Later, we'll find a place to watch some fireworks to wrap up a fun Fourth.