well good morning once again everybody
around with you today
here in Bexley what a beautiful day for
a parade we're at the corner of
Roosevelt and Bexley Park getting ready
for the parade they are not to us yet
they would have kicked off by now
we can hear them where we are but we've
got people starting to line the streets
and
ready to go so we hope that you'll be
ready let's take a look
at the parade route well at least our
little piece of it there it is
and people still getting their seats
along the way
a number of entries in fact we'll be
started out today by the police both the
unit one lead Cruiser and then the honor
guard
and that'll get us going and the Grand
Marshal today are the Bexley High School
state champions
there early on
and then citizen of the year
and that is darn the developmental
assets Resource Network
you know that they fundraisers and
Outreach and they raise lots of money
and then distribute it
to Children and Families who need it
most they are the again citizen of the
year
so that's some of what's coming up today
again you can usually see everybody
clear out pretty quickly once they're on
the way and we can actually hear the
siren not that far away of the unit one
police cruiser
beautiful day
the parade
route today actually goes back to 2019
the parade route that was used then
the last time I've been on a
parade broadcast here in Bexley was
during the pandemic we had the virtual
parade if you remember that
Amy Acton spoke at the Jeffrey Mansion
at the conclusion
so we're glad to be with it
with people lining the way this is our
first webcast with everybody back
also saluting today the Bexley parks
which by the way just beautiful in
Bexley
our webcast today is done in conjunction
with the Bexley Area Chamber of Commerce
I am the President of that board and so
know it well
my background in Bexley is that I was
the theater director at the direct Sol
theater
I was last there in 2018 but
was fortunate enough to be at the Drexel
when they went through the renovation
and
what a beautiful place
but that's how I started with the
chamber and getting to know everybody in
the city
and so glad to help out today and bring
this to you
and there you see the parade route that
is
along Roosevelt Avenue the parade will
be coming at us
of course earlier today the John Barr 5K
we have the parade now and then of
course this evening
the fireworks
and that will uh they'll launch the
fireworks from Capitol University
and before that all kinds of stuff going
on on the lawn over there
so I hope you can if you can't
get to the parade today we hope that
you'll be able to take
part in the fireworks later tonight
thank you
see that's the smart thing is get on a
bike go down the Parade route and try to
find a good place to duck in
a lot of people setting up with
parties in their front Lawns they'll
have lunch after the Parade's over
just a real special day here in bexane
has been for a long time
they blocked off the streets just about
15 minutes ago
and after that we've seen a number of
golf carts maneuvering around the
barriers
to get a good spot
we want to thank our friend Greg
Margulies who
is actually supplying the power today
for our broadcast
the first thing that we'll see today is
the
Bexley police unit one lead Cruiser
we're also going to point out to you
today
those
entrance in the parade that were
planning partners and then we're
Financial sponsors as well
lots of class reunions of course
those classes ending in three and eight
since we're in 2023
the most recent will be the class of
2013.
and early on in the parade
I don't want to say the oldest that
sounds bad but 1973.
of course celebrating their 50th
anniversary and
having a reunion right around the parade
so if I said the last class 2018 by the
way
they'll show up in descending order
starting with 1973.
also a number of entries will be
saluting one Bexley
including mayor Ben Kessler the city
council School Board
when Bexley has a float
and my favorite we're going to see
Benjamin Franklin at some point so we
look forward to that
but we say hello to all of you wherever
you are whether you're in Bexley
or perhaps a Bexley High School alum or
former resident
or maybe you just found us
and if you're curious about that Bexley
is a Columbus Ohio suburb
just east of the downtown area
and speaking of Bexley high school we
talked about the alumni classes
that will be coming our way
but we'll also see superintendent Dr
Jason fine
we'll see actually as I mentioned before
our grand Marshals are the state
champions
in athletics from Bexley High School
this past year
and various teams
will be riding on floats on the way by
as well
but you can see
just an absolutely perfect day for a
parade
and even though the parade did kick off
at 9 30 we are
little ways down the route
so they will be here shortly
again we're at the corner
of South Roosevelt
and Bexley Park
Roosevelt runs north and south Bexley
park east and west
sometimes Bexley referred to as the 0-9
because its zip code is 43209
want to thank our camera operator Carol
Rao
meaning the camera ladder today
we're operating on battery power to the
camera so if that happens to drop out
we'll just plug another one in and keep
on going
as I mentioned we will just looking
ahead here we will see Benjamin Franklin
today
that's a good get by the parade
organizers
I'm looking forward to the penny for
things
that's those big bicycles
not sure
how you get up on them
but they will be when they come past us
several bands in the parade as well of
course the Bexley High School marching
band
Super Fun Band
not spelled s-u-p-a
Fun Band
the whirly Birds who just played a jazz
in the park
the fair weathered
who will be playing at the taste of
Bexley
later this year
the nacho Street Band
also another marching band The Galleon
alumni band
and not just
Bexley schools but it will also see
folks from the Columbus tour Academy
Saint Charles Columbus School for Girls
and Patriot Preparatory Academy
all coming up
for those of you just joining us you are
looking
right up South Roosevelt Avenue
we are stationed at South Roosevelt and
Bexley Park
foreign
we're still staring down that way to see
if
the Bexley police cruiser will be coming
this way
we're also thankful to Bexley for
maintaining
there are trees throughout the city
because we are getting some welcome
shade as the sun climbs into the sky
still some folks by sickling their way
down the
Parade route trying to find a spot
we're going to make a little battery
change on our
calendar or Cali counter ladder Clan
cam ladder cam
that's what we're gonna do
Kevin around with you today
and my Bexley credentials are being
president of the Board of the Bexley
Area Chamber of Commerce former director
of the Drexel Theater
to those of you who have lived in Bexley
for a while may have served to popcorn
there hope you're still going great
people there
Jeremy henthorne now the director of the
theater
we're going to try to get the old
battery here to
so we can keep that that's you we're
just making this work
everything's on the Fly here today so
welcome let's go back to
there's the parade route you can see
people are starting to
get together on the corner here
and we're waiting for that first
unit which is the police
unit one lead Cruiser followed by the
honor guard
then the Bexley Cub Scout Pack 166.
that'll lead off to braiding seat people
kind of cheating to see if they're
coming
but again thanks for joining us today
wherever you are
again I'm Kevin Rao
happy to
talk with you about the entrance today
in the parade
on an absolutely gorgeous day
see some of the people they've gathered
here today
great family event here in Bexley Ohio
we're on now we're uh we're just outside
the Margulies estate
I may climb over the fence later and see
if I can get a little bit of food
if you can see all the kids along the
route today
just a very special day always here in
Bexley
can remind you the fireworks tonight
they'll launch those from
Capitol University
just after Dark
but again you see the people that have
found their favorite spots
some
sitting in the same place for years and
years
oh wow I'll try to get a good shot for
you everybody kind of moves into the
street a little more
getting a view of some of the folks
along the Play Parade route
young and old
you can even see how many folks have
joined us since we have been on the air
lining
South Roosevelt
and again if you've happened on us
and wonder where Bexley is
we are just a little bit east of
downtown Columbus Ohio
historic community of Bexley
and once it starts rolling through it'll
go
pretty quickly
actually one of the planning
I guess uh
emphases this year was to
close the gaps in the parade
we can hear the sirens coming at us
if you want to see the parade lineup
you can go to the city of Bexley website
click on the picture
dealing with the parade today and
there's actually a list or you can
scan the QR code with your phone that's
on that page
and walk away from your computer with
all the information
we've tried to do a little research for
you today to give you
whatever whatever information we can
we're starting to see the lights there
of the police cruiser coming our way
one of bexley's finest on a bicycle
making sure the crowd is ready
again we don't really have a lot of
crowd control there so you're going to
see people
kind of Bob in and out of the picture
all right coming our way just a moment
and here comes
the lead Cruiser
that's the unit one
Gary Lewis the police chief
here in Bexley and then of course
you have the
Bexley police honor guard
and he shouldn't forget the hashtag life
in Becks
Bexley Cub Scout Pack 166 walking behind
the cart
then the grand Marshals
the Bexley state champions there you see
Mason Lewis
who was the 200 and 400
State Track champion and Sydney Smith
it was The discus champion
I also want to point out Amaya Bowles
was the tennis champion as a freshman
then darn which we mentioned before a
great fundraising group to help people
in Bexley and here comes the marching
band
volunteers helping them with water
bottles along the way
we'll get the drum canes as they go by
and now
stopping just a moment
you see the drummers the percussionists
with the Cadence
two hearty Souls with the sousaphones
on a warm summer day
again volunteers making sure they get
water along the way
and they will
step off again
again the Bexley High School marching
band
next up the cheerleaders
from Bexley High School
always a lot to cheer about in Bexley
they do well in a variety of sports
and of course cheerleading have their
own competitions
and our athletes in their own right
next up the Bexley Community Foundation
great supporter here in Bexley
providing funding I knew when I was at
the Drexel Theater
we got a grant to improve the Marquees
so think of the Bexley Community
Foundation every time you go past that
wonderful Marquee at the Drexel
Jewish War veterans
next of course based in Washington DC
they have a museum there if you're ever
in DC
hats off to those Jewish War veterans
next the one Bexley float
again members of the
City Council
superintendent of the Mexico schools Dr
Jason fine in that group
School Board
foreign
Bexley
see our friend lorianne feibel in the
next golf cart
city council member
and again council members and school
board members
the book bike from the
Bexley Public Library
and yes indeed it is almost time
for our friend Ben Franklin
wouldn't it be funny if the person in
that
um a tire was also named Ben
and there he is Ben Franklin
and he wishes all the citizens
happy Independence Day next up the
Bexley Public Library
one of the best in the country
maybe Ben Franklin has something to do
with that I don't know
and we'll get our first
class of Bexley High School it is the
class of 1973.
I'm glad somebody in this parade is
older than I am
in that case just five years
so our first class along the way
it's funny we're seeing that now on the
street where members of the class may
have come into town haven't seen some
people for a while
and they'll stop and chat
we have a 1974 Volkswagen Thing
followed by the Bexley youth football
players
coaches
we'll see them at the stadium not too
long from now
it's a big enough deal here they've got
their own trailer
a little bit of a gap here just enough
time to
mention the fireworks tonight
they'll be shooting those off from the
Capitol University area
Broad Street a great place to go and
find a place to watch those
I'm sorry Main Street
of course Capital has the beautiful big
lawn right there
on Main Street let's say that is a
father of a proud Capital grad
next up the ballooniacs
appropriately led by
a balloon United States flag on this
Fourth of July
these folks are indeed ballooniacs
this is our version of the
Macy's balloons
getting in that costume has got
to be difficult
easy to get out if you have a sharp
object
tough to get in
and those are the ballooniacs
a vintage truck coming up here
Jim Richard driving that beautiful truck
a Ford
there's some water Shenanigans going on
here
actually they're passing out
kind of
rubberized water soaked
scarves
hmm
that's a first
next up the
Bexley High School class of 1983.
and now they're officially
younger than I am
so 40 years ago they graduated from
Bexley High School
foreign
the Bexley Senior Center up next
that's a lot of streamers on that
float
and they're they're no mind shooting
water into the crowd
up next the
elegant fire dance team
great looking
costumes
I don't know if that's the right thing
to say but nice presentation
and their parents follow up the team
next up Wasserstrom
who was both a planning partner
and a
Financial sponsor
full old station wagon
so thanks to Wasserstrom
for all of their help and put it
right on Main Street
wonderfully patriotic float there
that's followed by the Bexley Animal
Hospital
kind of a you got slimed with a pumpkin
state representative
dontavious Cheryl's next
and then Chase Bank
they're on Main Street
tell you about an hour and a half ago
there was nobody
along this street
they knew how to time it perfectly
a little bit of a gap here
than a beautiful card James and Joan
Richie
that Malibu is shined to my mirror
beautiful
Here Comes
another class
of Bexley High School 1993.
celebrating their 30th
anniversary of graduation there they are
[Music]
and being hit with water balloons
from just our
someone shouted from 2012.
that diabolical 2012 class
comes to Jeffrey summer camp
one of the great traditions
here in Bexley
of course they do that at the Jeffrey
Mansion
great summer program
we used to host them coming and seeing a
movie at the Drexel
lots of fun things to do at the Mansion
for those guys
and we get Super Fun Band
and if you see them and you don't think
that's super fun
you are missing out
that's awesome
a trumpet slash kazoo player
Michael stenziano our auditor
and he has
dogs
blow up dogs hanging out the windows
it's got to be a reason for that
actually here it comes there's Mike
cinzianzo
stinziano it's it
the new teeth just aren't working as
well as they used to
pilot dogs one of the great
organizations
here in central Ohio
they train dogs
for those that might need them
and then we get the class of
1998 from Bexley
Bexley Area Chamber of Commerce
very proud of that group very proud to
be part of that group
I believe Brian Drury
our new
executive director is driving the car
he's going to get himself in trouble
making that Gap right there
it is Brian driving
and then the Galleon alumni band
the Tigers
traveling from up North a bit
Germaine Motor Company
we should be
next
about halfway through this parade now
foreign
[Music]
and that's the Torah Academy folks
their big truck
they're slogan Inspire learn achieve the
Columbus tour Academy
[Music]
Bexley High School class of 2003
graduating 20 years ago
[Music]
the Corvette beautiful Corvette owned by
the Wilson family
perfect color for Bexley
and then the
Marlin swim team the kids
travel around in the summer
saw them swim at the Grandview Heights
Pool
not too long ago
next up the
Bexley tall there's some more Marlins
[Music]
followed by the
Bexley High School swim team
[Music]
that's followed by the class
of 2008
and then one of our very favorite bands
here in central Ohio
formed by some Bexley High School alums
the fair weathered
they are outstanding they were a taste
of Bexley last year we're going to get
them back this year
and here come the
talking about him earlier the penny
farthings that's what you call those big
bikes
penny furthings
they do parades all over the area
right after they went past our camera he
went up one foot on top of the bike
Paramount Church
here in betsley
located on Merkel Road
more from
Paramount Church
I thought I saw a sign saying they were
the best float overall
and they're handing out water to folks
well done
from just down the road a bit
Bishop Hartley cheerleaders
thank you
good to see the folks from Bishop
Hartley
Bexley High School girls soccer team on
the trailer
the hearty Souls walking behind
I've walked this parade a few times
it is not for the faint of heart
you will get your steps in Plus
St Charles next
on Broad Street
the Cardinals van in fact
there's the cardinal
Baxley high school not to be outdone
their next class the class of 2013.
10 years ago
then the folks from vote I hope I'm
saying that correctly
A Car Care establishment beautiful
purple vehicle
QR code right on the side of the car
perfect
Bexley Play and Learn next
we've got some bubbles working
and that's some artist fantastic artist
Ellen Knowles
and folks from the Christie Brothers
you've seen Ellen Knowles pictures
especially of cows fantastic
and the Christie Brothers do a lot of
macro photography
just beautiful
and then after that the class of 2018.
that was just five years ago
some may have graduated from college
after that
hear the sounds of the nacho Street Band
well then whose band is it
so stop
nacho Street band coming up
gotta time that out from the truck and
the trailer behind
see definite Trend toward bubbles
next we get the Alibaba 53 mini car
patrol
from the
Alibaba Temple
a Masonic organization
and there you see the cars
I'll do a little show for us right there
some tight Corners along here very well
done
gotta admire the gentleman in the middle
for directing traffic in a very close
Circle
crowd appreciative of their efforts
Columbus School for Girls
located right in Bexley
the unicorns
see again you see so many people
stopping and chatting with people they
haven't seen for a while
the baseball team from Bexley High
School is next
you know they're ready for a game to
break out at any moment
should mention the baseball team as
coach by Brett counts
who is a Bexley alum
Royal Beauty is next
those are some serious pom-poms going on
right there
metallic
that's just the beginning of the group
Bring Your Own Drum crew with them
kind of a combination next of green
Bexley and
circular Thrift
greenbacks what a great job they do
they've helped us out at
Taste of Bexley to make sure that we're
disposing of
our items there correctly
and now the Bexley football team
[Music]
spirited group today
things winding down and then we've got
some more to go
you can smell the grills being fired up
getting a lot of front yard parties
once the parade is over people getting
together and celebrating this beautiful
day
some great red white and blue outfits
today
I think some more dance members
from Royal Beauty
and what would a parade be without
a soft wash company
not power wash soft wash
then the Chambers music studio
learn how to play an instrument that's
where you want to go
beautiful facility there
followed by some Music Makers The
Whirlybirds
just saw them at jazz in the park
love that upright Bass
and the Bexley United Methodist Church
okay
if I didn't mention it we are just
outside the Margulies estate
here on Bexley Park
that's where we're drawing our power
from today
always get some good energy
from Greg and Mary margulis
things winding down a few more entries
to go here
apparently a ladder with a camera on it
does draws no attention whatsoever
Patriot Preparatory Academy
foreign
the Eagles
11 Athletics next
and if you pulled that weight around or
carried those kettlebells
around with you
for an entire parade you too will look
like that
so thanks to 11 Athletics for being part
of this
and then into the woods
Oakland Nurseries
more Bubbles and trees
of course that
Woods Fest coming up
in October let's keep an eye out for
that and then
Bexley police
and that will do it I believe for
today's parade
and then people behind them that have
been waiting
for the parade to go through
want to make sure we get them they were
involuntary
entrance today
I think that's it
and indeed
I believe that will do it people are
waiting around we don't want to miss
something if somebody's coming late
we'll try to get a view to see if that's
it
into the woods Fest was the last
entry on our sheet
our Ace
videographer Carol Rao
and I think that will do it
so we want to thank everybody who tuned
in today what another great parade here
in Bexley today
get all tidied up there
uh thanks for joining us
we hope you have a great Fourth of July
remember fireworks tonight
they'll be shot off at Capital
University we hope you can find a great
Spot and watch those to end
this independence day but wherever you
are
we certainly hope that you and your
family
have a happy
and safe
Fourth of July
take care everybody