Legion to present July 4 parade and family picnic
A wealth of July 4, activities will be offered to the residents and visitors of Pine Island again this year, thanks to the Pine Island American Legion and other organizations.
From the highly anticipated community parade to an old-fashioned cook-out topped off by fireworks, the Legion with the assistance of others, will again spare no expense to ensure that islanders can join together to celebrate the birth of our nation. Kicking off the day-long activities slated for Independence Day will be the annual Pine Island Parade.
“This year’s parade promises to be even bigger and better than ever. Not only are we expecting to see our regulars return, but we also have a few new participants this year,” said parade organizer Tom Ruscik. “We think this year there will be something for everyone as well as a few surprises.”
All of the events will take place on Monday, July 4, when floats and marchers will gather in the Winn-Dixie parking lot near the island center. In years past, more than a dozen floats from various organizations were entered into the parade including those from the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce carrying this year’s Mango Queen Mellisa Jo Goodwin Koferi. Also on board for this year’s parade will be floats from the Matlacha Hookers, Boy Scout Troop 20 of Pine Island, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island, the Pine Island Elks Lodge, the Corvette Club, the Legion Riders and more. Marching along with the floats will be members of the Pine Island VFW as well as those from the American Legion who will proudly display Old Glory and will be accompanied by members of the Matlacha-Pine Island Fire Department who will signal the start of the parade. New to the parade this year will be members of SAS, the Beacon of HOPE after-school program, and the teen-based group PITS who will be sharing a float in the parade. According to Ruscik, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office also plans to participate and those attending the parade may be treated to a surprise appearance from Sheriff Mike Scott who will ride in an open-air sedan. All participants are asked to be at the Winn-Dixie parking lot no later than 9 a.m. on July 4, for judging and to be assigned a parade position. Those arriving early may also help themselves to a continental breakfast. Beginning at 8:30 a.m. until the start of the parade, Winn-Dixie will provide pastries and beverages for parade participants free of charge. Those entering floats also will be eligible for trophies to be presented for first, second and third place for the best decorated floats.
In addition to the floats and marcher, returning again this year will be the Bike and Trike parade. Children of all ages are welcome to decorate a two- or three-wheeled bicycle to join in on the parade route. This segment of the parade also will earn awards for those who do the best job of decorating his or her bikes. The competition is open to children ages 6 to 13. All children participating in any aspect of the parade must be accompanied by an adult at all times and register with the American Legion Riders to be eligible to participate. Registration forms are available at the American Legion or parents can register their children on the morning of the parade before 9 a.m. All participants in the Bike and Trike parade will meet in the parking lot of TIB Bank next to the Winn-Dixie parking lot prior to the onset of the parade and must present officials with permission slips signed by a parent or guardian. When the children reach the Elks Lodge at the island center at the end of the parade route, they will be treated to a free hot dog or hamburger and soft drink courtesy of the members of the Legion Riders. Also at that time the winners of the bike decorating contest will be announced. Each child participating will receive a red, white and blue ribbon and the three children with the best decorated bikes or trikes will be presented with medallions.
The parade route will take the floats, marchers and bicycles from Winn-Dixie to the island center beginning at 10 a.m.
The festivities do not end with the parade as the American Legion will open its doors to the public throughout the rest of the day.
At the Legion, the winners of the float entries will be announced and beginning at noon, all are welcome to celebrate with an old-fashioned Fourth of July picnic as the Legion members will have cook-out food and beverages available for a reasonable price throughout the afternoon as well as live entertainment in the lounge.
As dusk approaches on the Fourth, all are invited to bring a blanket or a folding chair and claim a spot in the backyard at the Legion for the island’s only fireworks display provided the weather cooperates.
“According to the fire department, we won’t be able to shoot off the fireworks unless we have a substantial amount of rain between now and the Fourth,” Ruscik said. “We are told we need to get a minimum of five inches of rain and we are hoping that that will happen, but if not, everyone is sure to have a great day anyway.”
For more information about registering a float, vehicle or marching unit in this year’s parade or to register a child for the Bike and Trike parade, contact Tom Ruscik at 283-5270.