Your Guide To Mentor's Fourth Of July

The city of Mentor will celebrate the Fourth of July with a pair of local traditions -- this afternoon's parade through the Headlands neighborhood and the fireworks show tonight.

The parade will begin at noon at the intersection of Forest and Garden roads before heading east on Garden, then north on Corduroy and ending at Lake Overlook and Corduroy Road.

This year's parade will have the theme "celebrating 60 years of an American tradition."

Then the fireworks show will begin at 9:50 p.m. on the property of . (Beforehand, the Mentor Fire Department will be giving demonstrations on how to do hands-only CPR in front of .)

Here are a few spots in the city that make for prime firework watching:

• : The restaurant has a direct line of vision from Market Street. Moreover, you can get some good grub while you wait.
• Laketran parking lot on Market Street: The view is similar to the one from the Branding Iron. It doesn't tend to fill up as quickly as other more popular locations.
• : This entire complex offers a pretty good view of the action as long as you don't get stuck behind a tree or a tall guy in a top hat. If you don't want to fight for a spot of lawn, you could always retreat to the parking.
• : Admittedly, this suggestion is a bit obvious. However, we have it on good authority that the baseball fields offer an especially good view.
• : This location boasts two benefits. One, you'll be able to see the show clearly. Two, you'll have a lot easier time trying to get home than if you parked at the Civic Center complex.

An important note -- the eastbound and westbound State Route 2 exit ramps to Center Street will be closed from about 10 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. following the city’s fireworks show. This should make it easier for everyone to get home more safely and quicker.

Additionally, Munson Road between Hopkins Road and Civic Center Boulevard  will be closed from about 9 p.m. until 11 p.m. and Center Street at Tyler Boulevard will be closed to northbound traffic from the end of the fireworks (about 10:15 p.m.) until about 11:45 p.m. to assist with traffic leaving the event.

In other words, if you're not trying to get to or from the fireworks show tonight, you might want to avoid Center Street.

Finally, has its own Fourth of July tradition.

Each year the Mentor home of President Garfield .

This year's ceremony will be July 6. It is free and open to the public.