Bicentennial parade van photograph

A decorated white Chevrolet step van takes part in a Fourth of July Bicentennial parade in Portsmouth, Ohio, July 4, 1976. Various slogans and statements appear on the van, including "200 Years of Freedom," "Stand Up for America," "Freedom Forever" and "America We Love You," along with many other patriotic decals, flags and graphics. A label on the side of the van identifies its proprietor as Cramer Burks, Low Temp. Contractor of London, Ohio. The image was submitted by photographer William B. Lee of Portsmouth in the Amateur category of the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest. In August 1976, the Ohio American Revolution Bicentennial Advisory Committee (OARBAC) began the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest as part of a larger effort in Ohio to celebrate the 1976 American Bicentennial. The contest was meant to document "the spirit and character of the people and places which represent Ohio during [the] bicentennial year," and to create a permanent photographic archive of the year's festivity for use by future researchers. Both professional and amateur photographers submitted over 500 photographs for consideration, all taken within the state between January 1 and December 31, 1976