This year's Lakewood Fourth of July Parade promises to attract all manner of goofy characters.

The theme for the 2008 Lakewood Fourth of July Parade is Lakewood's Favorite Cartoons. Get those costumes and float decorations under way.

The 46th annual event takes off at 10 a.m. July 4 from the corner of Lakewood and Cambria boulevards. The route passes through the neighborhood toward the end point at Tokalon Park, where parade-watchers can participate in continuing entertainment, refreshments, prize announcements, and general merriment.

Parade organizers — Al See, in his traditional Uncle Sam attire, Bob Brimer, Vickie Thompson, Carol Hensley, Clay Drury, Troy Harper, Jane Shouse, and Mike and Vivian Youdinm — announced the theme yesterday. In fact, the theme has yet to be posted on the official Web site.

Floats do not not need to be registered before the day of the parade. People who want to join the procession can gather at 9:15 a.m. at the starting point and become entered.

A 1.2 mile fun run precedes the parade along the same route. The entry fee costs $10, which gets all participants a T-shirt or tank top and a good change at wining a medal in the various categories. Prizes also will be awarded for best floats in a variety of categories.

Water guns of any type are prohibited because of safety reasons. Business and political advertisements also are not allowed.

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