Noblesville July 4 Makes Kids Smile

What makes kids smile? The Noblesville Fourth of July.

Kids were smiling everywhere on Monday during the Noblesville July 4 Fireworks Festival & Parade.

Despite the heat, there were more people who came out to watch the parade than I have seen in a long time. Families lined the streets with kids holding out bags collecting candy handed out by the many parade entries.

The July Fireworks Festival was just as well attended, enjoying inflatables in a kids zone, dining from food trucks, listening to a live band and finding a wide-open place to watch the fireworks that were set off over the beautiful Forest Park.

Families were also enjoying the many amenities of the park, from playground and basketball courts to sand volleyball and riding the carousel.

I caught up with some families at the Festival, and asked the kids what was most fun about their day. Here is what they said:

Grayson Crafton, 12, Noblesville, a seventh-grader at Noblesville East Middle School, said he enjoyed the sports zone at the Festival. Most fun about July 4? “Spending time with family and watching fireworks.” He is the son of Shallen and Casey King. What makes him smile? “My mom and my little sister (Journee King, 11 months).”

Braeden Crafton, 12, Noblesville, who is 11 months older than brother Grayson, and also a seventh-grader at NEMS, said he enjoyed jumping on a trampoline and watching the parade. Most fun about July 4? “Getting to see the fireworks and spending time with my family.” What makes him smile? “My little sister, my mom, my dad and my brother.”

Braxton Craig, 3, Noblesville, climbed the rock wall and slid down the big slide. Most fun about July 4? “Fireworks.” What makes him smile? “Family,” said Braxton, who was with his parents, Justin and Kelly Craig (pictured with Braxton).

Juliet Blazucki, 6, a first-grader, spent her day bicycle riding, doing pottery, got a balloon, had her face painted and enjoyed the bounce houses at the festival. Most fun about July 4? “Fireworks.” What makes her smile? The daughter of Adam and Louise Blazucki (her mom owns and operates Kiln Creations), she has two sisters and one brother and her favorite animal is a cat.

Maggie Blazucki, 8, Juliet’s sister and a third-grader, said what she enjoys most about July 4 is “We have a big breakfast.” What makes her smile? “On Christmas, we have a big breakfast. Also, seeing my family all together.” Most fun about the Noblesville festival? “Face painting.”

Graham Carney, 11, a sixth-grader at Noblesville West Middle School, enjoyed attending the festival. What makes him smile? “My dad,” said the son of Dan Carney and Laura Haven. Most fun about July 4? “The fireworks.”

Gabriel Carney, 13, a seventh-grader at NWMS and the brother of Graham Carney, said he enjoyed attending the festival. What makes him smile? “Him,” Gabriel said, pointing to his brother, Graham Carney.

Megan Fitzpatrick, 16, Noblesville, the daughter of Tammy and Darroll Fitzpatrick and the youngest of six siblings in her family, enjoyed July 4 cooking out, preparing some of the food, spending time with family, then attending the festival. What makes her smile? “Family and friends and my job … and anything that involves being outside … traveling makes me smile … going out.” Also, she has her driver’s permit, has completed her 50 required hours of driving and will have her first official drive with driver education school today.

– Contact Betsy Reason at betsy@thetimes24-7.com. See photos of the Noblesville July 4 Parade in today’s edition of The Times.