Around the Park: Some merchants relocate - and expand

Parade-goers on Saturday were treated to quite a show of patriotic and "going green" attitude as the annual Independence Day Parade wound down Benfield Road to the grand stand at Baltimore & Annapolis Boulevard.

The weather was glorious and spirits were high as communities, churches, vintage cars, dancers, kids on decorated bikes and, most importantly, members representing the military were welcomed with rounds of applause.

Each year the parade brings throngs of residents out to celebrate, mingle with their neighbors and then drop by the festival afterward at Cypress Creek Park, or gather for lunch at local...