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Parade, music, food and more on the menu for holiday festivities

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By Amanda Seitz, Staff Writer Updated 8:39 AM Friday, July 2, 2010

Parade and festivity lovers can make stops in Hamilton and Middletown for Fourth of July fun.

The two cities will celebrate the holiday on separate days.

Middletown will kick of its Independence Day festivities with a parade on Saturday, July 3, at the corner of Verity Parkway and 14th avenue. The parade will continue its march down Verity to Smith Park, said Ken Wills, chairman of Middletown’s parade association.

The parade and the floats and groups in it will all pronounce this year’s chosen theme, “America’s Historic Moments.”

The next day, Hamilton will kick off the “Proud to be an American” Fourth of July celebration.

A Taste of Hamilton, which was absent from the roster last year because of budgetary constraints, is back said Bob Harris, the city’s parks and recreation director.

“We’re trying to expand the Fourth of July celebration and get it back to the way it used to be.”

Harris said eight Hamilton restaurants will open their booths at noon for lunch and remain open for the rest of the festivities.

“They’ll be set up on High Street right next to courthouse parking areas,” Harris said.

Harris said the Hamilton Concert Band also play at 1 p.m. at the historic courthouse before the parade steps off at 2 p.m. from the Butler County Fairgrounds.

Mike Neal, owner of Neal’s Café, said he is excited for the opportunity to feature his food this Sunday. Neal said his restaurant would bring a booth full of Neal’s Famous ribs, pulled pork, and All-Purpose barbeque sauce.

“We’ve been there for four years, we have sold out every year,” Neal said. “We’re happy to be at the Fourth of July again. We’ll be there full-fledged representing Neal’s Café and representing Hamilton.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2192 or aseitz@coxohio.com.