ASHLAND — Even a slow, soaking rain couldn’t dampen Ashland’s All-American attitude during Summer Motion 2008 on the Fourth of July.

A large crowd gathered early and found places to sit and wait for the arrival of the evening’s showcase performer Tracy Lawrence and opening act Lady Antebellum. The star’s arrival by helicopter on the city’s riverfront generated considerable excitement among young and old as Lawrence addressed the crowd from the descending chopper.

Members of Lady Antebellum took the stage with a standing room only crowd from the stage to the horizon, working the crowd up with songs from their recently released debut album and covers of tunes made famous by Tom Petty, The Doobie Brothers, The Black Crowes and James Taylor.

As darkness fell with the next wave of rain, “The Mayberry Deputy” David Browning and a small legion of flag-bearing youngsters lined the stage with American flags and banners from every state. As the flags waved, Browning read a patriotic essay about the origin of the “Star Spangled Banner” before the first fireworks fuse was ignited. Local musician Larry Pancake provided a solo rendition of the nation’s anthem, setting the stage for technicians to light up the sky in celebration.

The elbow-to-elbow crowd peered from beneath a sea of umbrellas to get a full view of the impressive fireworks display launched from a barge on the Ohio River for the 20th annual Summer Motion festival.

“It was just right for the Fourth of July,” Joanne Salyers of Ashland said as the smoke drifted across the river and the crowd.

“It had a good thump,” added Jonathan Salyers, who said the pyrotechnics were well synchronized with the patriotic music blasting from the sound system.

For Colt Royster, the evening had a more personal impact.

“It was special for me because my dad (Sgt. Mjr. Paul Royster) is in Afghanistan right now,” Royster said. “All the booms and flashes ... when you think about what that means — it makes it mean a lot more.”

A spokesman for the Ashland Fire Department confirmed they had to close access to the riverfront area briefly because the crowd had reached capacity level.

Under drizzly afternoon skies, which prompted many to share umbrellas along the route, the city’s annual parade was a relatively quick procession.

“Here comes the color guard. Here comes the parade guys,” a man at the corner of Winchester Avenue and 16th Street announced with excitement as the Ashland Police Department Color Guard marched into view to start the parade, followed by family members of local soldiers on active duty overseas carrying a massive oversized American flag.

The gigantic banner was followed by an enormous group of children and adults bearing modern and historic American flags, as well as flags representing every state in the nation.

A string of convertibles carried each of the six Miss Summer Motion pageant winners, with Mini Miss Hope Clark followed by Tiny Miss Abigail Young, Little Miss Baylee Booth, Little Junior Miss Mikayla Thompson, Junior Miss Maria Friley and Miss Summer Motion Rikki Butler.

“Look at her blowing kisses,” one person said, obviously charmed by the actions of Tiny Miss Summer Motion Abigail Young.

Members of the Ashland Area Bicycle Enthusiasts followed a small boy on a highly decorated bicycle, followed by red, white and blue costumed “Tropic Ray Tanning Girls” who carefully negotiated the streets in high heels and handed out treat bags to the small crowd.

Ohio State Tumbling Champion Shelby Dalton was sandwiched by politicians and firefighters, including members of the Ashland, England Hill, Big Sandy, Raceland and Worthington fire departments. A float by Sunrise Foster Care earned spontaneous applause from several on the sidewalk as they read the slogan, “Soldiers Give Their Lives.”

Ron Lester’s restored Ford was a point of curiosity for many as the parade drew to a close, followed by a van from El Hasa Shrine and Little Miss Ashland Maya Blankenship.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.