What was meant to be an “explosive” night out for a few young men on the Fourth of July turned ugly by the light of day the next morning. The night to be forgotten got a great start at 11 a.m. with the largest neighborhood turnout in years to celebrate the 30th annual Lakota Beach Fourth of July parade. Wagons, tricycles, bikes and even a real horse made the short trek through Lakota Beach, a fun-filled activity. But this expression of neighborly togetherness so early for a Sunday quickly became ugly when the sky turned black and the deafening noise of illegal fireworks randomly blasted away until well past midnight. Next year, the same neighborhood residents inhabiting our beach properties may not be so welcoming to those who choose to break the law.

David L. Turpin, Federal Way