Pre-parade breakfast kicks off long day for officials

For elected officials, July 4th is perhaps the longest working day of the year.

Their day gets under way at 9:00 AM with a breakfast at City Hall. As the officials and parade dignitaries assemble, it is time to put on the sashes that are dole out, grab a bit to eat, chat with fellow officials and get a ride to the staging area off East Front Street.

After the parade, there is usually a luncheon for elected officials and parade staff.

At five o'clock, the concert begins -- and runs non-stop right up to the start of the fireworks display at dusk.

After the last spectacular shell bursts, officials and July 4 staff can finally call it a day -- somewhere around 10:00 PM.

Thanks to Nat Singleton, Director of the city's IT shop, for this footage of the morning breakfast event.

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  -- Dan Damon [follow]

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