Tag: American flag

  • The 2021 4th of July Loveland Parade Stayed True to America’s Red, White, and Blue!

    The 2021 4th of July Loveland Parade Stayed True to America’s Red, White, and Blue!

    Cassie Mattia’s Latest Loveland Salad includes all of Downtown’s 4th of July Festivities!

    by Cassie Mattia,

    Loveland, Ohio – The streets of Loveland were filled with patriotism as the community gathered around to enjoy one phenomenal 2021 Independence Day Celebration in the heart of Downtown!

    Last year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Loveland’s 4th of July celebration was canceled so many Americans across Cincinnati missed out on celebrating America’s birthday Loveland-style. In preparation for this year’s celebration, many didn’t know what to expect, but as the 4th of July drew nearer one thing became clear; friends, families, and community members wanted to bring in Independence Day together with a bang. That couldn’t have been more true as the Loveland 2021 4th of July celebration kicked off at Noon and the sea of red, white, and blue filled Downtown Historic Loveland.

    The beautiful sunny day was filled with activities, local vendor booths, food trucks, live music, and rides for the kids. At 4 PM Nisbet Park hosted the “Kids Zone,” which included exotic animals on display, potato sack races, martial arts, face painting, jugglers on stilts, the Loveland Robotics Team, pirates, inflatables, festival rides, and much more!

    There was of course no shortage of food and drinks as the local food trucks rolled into Downtown Loveland at 4 PM as well. Crowds of festive Americans had the choice of lining up to receive ice cream from the Loveland Dairy Whip, 4th of July grill out cuisine from The Right Stuff Grill, delicious Southeast Asian-style food from the Sea Cuisine Food Truck, unique burgers and sandwiches from Stellar Street Eats, on-the-spot homemade lemonade at The Lemonade Stand, or a mouth-watering smoothie from The Smoothie King Food Truck.

    As civilians ventured down the Loveland Bike Trail live patriotic music filled the air, creating an unbelievable atmosphere throughout Downtown Loveland. Russel Kuzuhara performed at Jackson Street Market as adults enjoyed nice cold beverages from the beer booth. Later the Bluewater Kings Band took the stage at the Nisbet Park Amphitheater as friends and families danced to the high-energy 6 piece ensemble.

    The featured event of the night was the Loveland Parade, which brought in hundreds of Americans from all over the Cincinnati area just to catch a glimpse of patriotism in its best form! As local organizations, businesses, churches, Disney Princesses, circus performers, the LPD, the Loveland-Symmes Fire Department, and city officials made their way down West Loveland Avenue in their decked-out Americana vehicles kids lined the streets with their families for candy, popsicles, and even toothbrushes tossed out by those in the parade. The atmosphere couldn’t have been more perfect for those that attended and of course, the community felt more united than ever before!

    I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to commentate the entire parade while Loveland Magazine’s Editor, David Miller, streamed all of the action on Facebook Live for those who wanted to enjoy the Loveland Parade from their homes or vacation spots.

    If you missed out on the 2021 4th of July Loveland Parade check out part 1 and part 2 of Loveland Magazine TV’s Facebook Live footage below!

    https://www.facebook.com/361028064446/videos/545819269757466

    As the sunset on Downtown Loveland, people began to claim their front row seats to the Annual Loveland Firework Show that started promptly at 10 PM. The firework show didn’t disappoint as friends and families camped out on blankets and lawn chairs while staring into the beautifully lit sky! Loveland’s Independence Day celebration ended with a firework grand finale that left those who were watching with an overwhelming feeling of love for America and the Americans surrounding them.

    If you weren’t able to catch Loveland’s 2021 4th of July festivities, check out the videos below captured by David Miller on Loveland Magazine TV and the photos taken by Alex Eicher and Bob Kessler!

    Loveland 4th of July Firework Photos by Alex Eicher

    Check out these videos taken by David Miller on Loveland Magazine TV from Loveland’s Independence Day Celebration!

    Loveland 4th of July Firework Photos by Bob Kessler

    Bob Kessler took these particular photos from the East bank of the Little Miami River looking towards the Tufts Schildmeyer Family Funeral Home. (All Photos © 2021 Bob Kessler)

    For more of the latest Loveland event coverage stay tuned to the Loveland Salad With Me, Cassie Mattia!

  • Former Drill Sergeant: “Flag is a symbol not an idol.”

    Former Drill Sergeant: “Flag is a symbol not an idol.”

    “We can continue as a nation to sweep problems under the rug on which we stand – or we can take a knee.”

    by Steve Link,

    HAVE TO SAY THIS: If I thought the NFL protests were a slap in the face to “our soldiers, our police officers, and our veterans” as some have claimed, I’d be right there with those who object.

    On Tuesday, October 9 the Press Secretary for our administrative branch of government said, “We support the national anthem, the flag, and the men and women who fought to defend it.”

    Well, I was proud to serve in the military. Never in harm’s way, but served on active duty for two years. I was a Drill Sergeant. Most of my trainees went to Vietnam. They did not fight for a flag.

    Our nation’s flag is supposed to denote and identify our great country. IT IS A SYMBOL, NOT AN IDOL. It symbolizes this nation of people and the systems within which we live – including the good and the bad. Certainly, no one salutes the flag to honor what’s wrong in America, but the bad is part of American life just as it is globally.

    I can understand some of the confusion surrounding for whom the flag flies. Many Americans believe that the United States is the “greatest nation on earth.” That’s just not so and is, frankly, fake news. The one way in which we ARE far above all other nations is in military strength. So one might confuse the symbolism of our flag as being militaristic. But our flag is certainly not designed to represent any special segment of our citizenry. Most Americans do not serve in the military or law enforcement. Rather, the American flag it is a symbol of equality for all – among other ideals – for which we try to stand as a people. (And “equality for all” is also fake news.) 

    So, I do not see the NFL players disrespecting any individuals. No, they are trying the best they can to turn our collective attention to problems in our country that are morally abhorrent. I am pleased that some of them have been passionate enough to take risks and draw upon a large audience to make a statement that needs hearing (and seeing).

    We can continue as a nation to sweep problems under the rug on which we stand – or we can take a knee.

    Steve Link, a former Drill Sergeant

    lives in the Landen Farm Lake Community

    and a recent Peace Corps Volunteer.