Norfolk, Va. - The Annual Fourth of July celebration in Ocean View is now wrapping up.
It may be in its eighth year, but the parade gets bigger each year. It's now becoming a summer time tradition for those who live in and like to visit the Ocean View area of Norfolk - it's the East Beach July Fourth Parade.
Folks living in the East Beach community actually started and organized the event nearly a decade ago.
"We decided to do a parade at that point. I made cookies and my friend made lemonade and we came down here a group of 16 and now we've grown to 400 people," says Donna Cowdrey, event organizer.
All to honor our active, reserve, and retired military members - especially those who live in this area.
"I'm also retired military, like a lot of people who live here."
With each passing year -
"We actually had neighbors that moved in that were visitors on the Fourth, and the reason they moved here was because of this event!"
It continues to grow with the number of people decorating golf carts, bicycles, and strollers to participate in the parade.
"We like to take part in everything in East Beach, it's a place where there's something you can do almost every day. It's a fun place to live."
It now attracts dozens to the rather new neighborhood on the Chesapeake Bay.
"It's a great way to celebrate."
While it's not your typical parade -
"It's fun, it's so much fun."
It brings an entire community together to remember what the Fourth is really all about.
"We have wonderful friends and neighbors here. Of course we are all patriots - that's a common bond we share, particularly today."
