Making their own fireworks

Elaine Hirt used to celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks in the middle of Grahn Drive, but times have changed since the city of Santa Rosa banned sparklers, Piccolo Petes and other personal pyrotechnics starting in 2004.

"Now that we can't do that, the kids are the fireworks," said Hirt, 68, beaming at the youngsters playing in her front yard at a neighborhood party Friday afternoon.

About 150 residents of Santa Rosa's Grace Tract celebrated Independence Day with a block party and parade. They gathered to meet their neighbors and compete in sack races, watermelon seed-spitting contests and hula-hoop competitions.

The potluck party has become an informal tradition in the past four years, as younger families move into the older neighborhood on the city's northeast side.

"We've been getting together to celebrate the Fourth of July for about 15 years now, but a lot of the young families have changed the whole flavor of it," Hirt said.

The parade was led by children driving everything from bicycles, tricycles and red wagons to mini-Corvettes decorated in red, white and blue, while the parents came along for the ride.

"This is the biggest turnout we've had in four years," resident Robert Case said as he directed the parade around five blocks.

For many, the celebration was more than just barbecues, hamburgers and beer.

"It gives us pause to appreciate the freedoms we have and sometimes take for granted," said Santa Rosa City Councilman Lee Pierce, who was invited to the celebration by a friend who lives in the neighborhood. "So often we drive up to our homes, close the door and don't know who is living next to us."

Newcomer Suzanne Karp-Graham, who moved to the neighborhood with her husband and 5-year-old son less than a year ago, said the block party gave her a chance to meet a next-door neighbor she had never spoken to before.

Resident Scott Doig, who is originally from Canada and was celebrating his first Fourth of July as a U.S. citizen, said he's glad to be an American living on Grahn Drive.

"This is what gives me hope -- families getting together," he said. "As an immigrant, I feel very proud to be here."

You can reach Staff Writer Tracie Morales at 521-5274 or tracie.morales@pressdemocrat

.com.