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Staking out your spot along the Fourth of July parade route in downtown Naples becomes sport for longtimers.

Where to capture the slightest bit of breeze? And where are the prime candy-catching spots for the kids or grandkids?

Kay Lorinc, a lifelong resident for 39 years, opted Tuesday to pluck her lawn chair down on Eighth Street South across the street from Cambier Park.

"We come every year but we try a different spot every year," the Golden Gate Estates resident said, wearing a patriotic hat from Stan's Idle Hour Seafood restaurant in Goodland, with her Shih Tzu, Melanie, squirming on her lap and also decked out in red, white and blue ribbons.

"This is the best spot we've ever had. It's less crowded and the kids have room," she said. "They even toss out doggy bones. Wasn't that sweet?"

Thousands of residents and visitors Tuesday morning lined the streets of Fifth Avenue South and elsewhere along the parade route on Broad Avenue and Third Street South to take in the annual event while showing off new or old patriotic shirts and hats, waving flags and downing bottled water to ward off the heat. The 1½-hour parade began at 10 a.m.

Local politicians seeking re-election or first-time candidates rode in convertibles or trucks. U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Bill Nelson, made an appearance. Local business owners who entered floats or cars handed out coupons for discounts.

All told, there were 110 entries signed up to take part and three awards will be given at a later date in the categories of best business, best nonprofit organization and best independent entry. Last year there were 94 entries.

Trecia Weir didn't get downtown until 10:30 a.m. but managed to snag an empty picnic table in Cambier Park.

"This is my whole family; we've got 10 kids and three adults," she said, gesturing to her children and other family members hanging out in the park. "I love the whole parade. It's so much high energy. It's so much fun."

At the corner of Fifth Avenue and Eighth Street, Michelle McCausland sold buttons, flags, temporary tattoos and patriotic beads, which were the most popular. Three strands of red, white and blue beads for $1 couldn't be beat.

"We couldn't even set up and they were buying up all the beads," she said, while selling the items for Regina's Ice Cream Pavilion on Fifth Avenue South.

Parents kept a watchful eye on their youngsters along Fifth Avenue as the penny candy and plastic Frisbees, balls and toy airplanes were tossed off floats amid the ear-piercing sirens coming from fire trucks or police cruisers.

"We beg for the candy 'cause we like candy," said 4-year-old Bobby Cleveland, with a Band-Aid barely hanging on under his chin. A week ago he fell after swinging between the sofas at home.

"I got stitches," he said rather proudly while his father, Robert Cleveland, could only laugh.

"He's a tough guy," his father said.

Eight-year-old Stefanie Rankin liked the cheerleaders and ponders being one again someday after being a cheerleader a few months ago at Max Hasse Jr. Community Park in Golden Gate for the center's football team. The redhead had patriotic red, white and blue ribbons woven into her hair.

"I already was one," she said of cheerleading. "I want to be in the parade."

This was the first Fourth of July parade in Naples for Natalie Peliska, also 8, who moved here two years ago from Ann Arbor, Mich., with her family.

"It's a very good parade," she said. "I like the candy throwing and watching all the people come by."

Joseph Dosablon, 4, who lives in Massachusetts and is visiting his grandparents in Naples, mastered waving his hand at the floats but needed a little help from his mother retrieving the candy or trinkets on the curbside.

"I think he'd rather have the toy airplane," Christine Dosablon said after he grinned from ear to ear when she put the toy into his bag. "We don't go to the parade in our town because it lasts like two seconds."

Adults who didn't have to keep one eye on children or grandchildren could get a kick out of the entertainment, both in the parade and in the crowd.

"I've been coming here since '75, probably off and on all those years," said Louisa Woodhull who described herself as "50-something. "The (parades) have gotten bigger and bigger. Years ago they were much smaller and shorter. Now everybody gets into the act with this one. It's kind of funny."