High flyin' flag

Paul L. Schuetze/The Times

Paul L. Schuetze/The Times

Paul L. Schuetze/The Times

Debbie Hall, sons Christian Hall and Alexander Hall with hubby/dear ole dad Bill Hall smile for the camera on the deck at Vail, Colo., hot spot Pepi’s during the Vail July 4 parade — a funky and fun event.

Everyone wants to watch at Pepi’s because that is where President Gerald R. Ford and his family held court for years when they were in residence at their nearby Beaver Creek home. Because the president was there, all the units stopped to toot horns, sing or, in the case of the lawn chair brigade, act out their routine.

It is very difficult to get a spot at Pepi’s, but this year, Dr. Larry and Lori Allen snagged one for us and the Halls.

Later in the day, we attended the Vail Valley Foundation Patriotic Concert at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail featuring The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s, "A Salute to Freedom!"

It was dedicated to the memory of Ford.

It started off with flags waving and voices of people from across America joining in to sing "A Star Spangled Banner."

You had to stand in line to buy tickets for the covered section. We did, stand in line. We arrived at 10 a.m. for the 11 a.m. opening of the box office. But, we missed out by about 10 people. Next year, I suppose, we’ll arrive at 9 a.m. and believe you me, it would be worth it. It got so hot on the lawn that we left at intermission.

So, we show a photo of those in the shade and those outside to give you some idea of the scope of this very special event