Festivities included a Duck Race, a chicken BBQ and a presentation of fireworks.

Tom Moran kicked off the famous Duck Race by playing his pocket trumpet for those gathered next to Findley Lake, as he did the year before. Moran comes to the Fourth of July Celebration every year because his daughter and son in-law live in the area.

“It’s patriotic, a good time and family,” said Moran, who noted he’d also play next year as long as he’s welcome.

The annual Duck Race consisted of people signing up for a designated rubber duck that had a corresponding number marked on it. Pink ducks were used for girls; blue ones for boys; and yellow for adults who wanted to participate.

Gianna Susi stands at her lemonade stand in front of her house during the Findley Lake Fourth of July Celebration.

The different colored ducks were then gathered and brought to a boat that was wading in Findley Lake. The ducks were then dumped into the water and washed away underneath the road into a large pipe and through the other side to an eager crowd. Members of the community who volunteered to keep track of which duck finished in what position were prepared and waiting.

Within moments, the race was over and the winning ducks were being sorted through.

The winning individuals were listening for their number to be announced. The prizes that were up for the taking included two 20-inch bikes, several gift cards and a collapsible wagon, among other items.

Up the road was a chicken BBQ being hosted inside the Findley Lake Volunteer Fire Department.A line of customers stretched from inside the garage all the way out to the sidewalk outside.

Another usual sight was a lemonade stand across the street from the fire department. Underneath the tent, the lemonade stand was being operated by 8-year-old Gianna Susi with a little help from her family.

Her father Dan Susi; her mother, Shelly Sharp; and her older sister, Charlie, were all by her side attending the lemonade stand.

“We just try to participate in the festivities a lot,” Dan Susi said. “It’s our way of participating in (the) community because America is all about, in my view, comradery,” Susi said. “The stand is teaching (Gianna) some of part of being civically involved, its teaching her some business characteristics … it’s teaching her how to be nice to people.”

According to Dan Susi, Gianna will be back next year and she will also have a lemonade stand during the Findley Lake Harvest Festival in September.

The festivities ended Tuesday with a fireworks display.