The King’s Grant 4th of July parade and picnic is back this year. We missed the last two years because of COVID gathering restrictions imposed on public events, but not this year. We have a limited number of small give-aways for the kids (patriotic pinwheels, beads, and kazoos). Prizes will be awarded for the best decorated vehicles (bicycles, golf carts, strollers, wagons, etc.) with judging handled by our roving judges just before the start of the parade. Local stores have plenty of patriotic bling on the shelves to dress up bicycles, golf carts, lawn mowers, strollers, vintage cars, motorcycles, and whatever else walks, rides or rolls. Don’t wait too long!
The parade starts at Witt Park at 11:00AM and loops around the lake. It is a leisurely walk or ride of about 1 1/4 miles, ending back where we started. Participants will assemble in the Blue Ridge Court cul-de-sac beginning at 10:45. Vintage automobiles, decorated automobiles and motorcycles, and riding lawn mowers are welcome. We expect to be led by the fire truck from Station 20 of the VBFD. Come … make some noise … celebrate our nation’s Independence Day. Participating vehicles (cars, trucks, motorcycles) should line up northbound along the curb of King’s Grant Rd just short of Witt Park and NOT go into Blue Ridge Ct. Golf carts are OK in Blue Ridge Ct.
The parade will be followed with some food and children’s games in the park. The KGCL will provide hot dogs, watermelon, chips, and water. Marco’s pizza is donating 20 pizzas (if prior events are a good predictor, the pizza will go fast). Although it is not necessary, adults are asked to bring something simple to share – cookies, chips and dip, etc. The participants will appreciate your generosity. Included in the picnic agenda is raising the Star Spangled Banner at the park while the national anthem is played. Persons with kazoos are welcome to help belt out the national anthem.
Prizes will be awarded to champions of the children’s competitions. These include a bubblegum blowing contest and a watermelon seed spitting contest.
We need several “traffic monitors” to guard the intersections as our parade passes. If you live along our route and can just pull a traffic cone (that we supply) into the road as the parade approaches and remove it when it has passed, then you are the perfect candidate. Seriously, though, we do need a few helping hands and the work will not distract from your viewing of the parade as it passes. We can also use more judges for the contests. It’s a great way to interact with the kids. If you can help, please call Steve Nimitz (757-348-7920).