LAKE MILTON, Ohio (WKBN) – Many people spend the holiday doing recreational activities on the water. We caught up with a few water skiers Thursday who were doing just that, while also showing off their love for America.

A group of people in Lake Milton were celebrating Independence Day with a different type of parade — one on the water.

“We love America and this is what it’s all about,” Ralph Pesek said.

He and a few other water skiers took a ride around Lake Milton, putting on their patriotic show and holding onto American flags of different sizes that were waving in the wind as they were towed by a boat.

“We try to do it every year. We’ve been in water ski shows back in 1970s and we’re still together doing stuff,” Pesek said.

He has been skiing for more than seven decades.

Pesek and his water skier friends get together for this unique holiday show each year. He says it gets a reaction from other boaters, who cheer them on.

“They absolutely love it. They’re all blowing horns, and waving and having a good time just like everybody does on Fourth of July,” Pesek said.

A few skiers were taking part in this parade of sorts for the first time this year.

“Happy to be a part of the parade,” Emily Walter said. “I love the Fourth of July. It’s my favorite holiday.”

“I think it’s really cute,” Antoinette Walter said. “I like it. I’ve never done it before. It’s a lot of fun.”

These skiers say it’s an enjoyable way to celebrate the Fourth.

“We love it,” Pesek said.