SEBASTIAN — This year’s Fourth of July Parade in Sebastian was longer and larger than usual, not just in terms of the number of participants, but also in the amount of time it took from start to finish. What would have normally wrapped up in about an hour, took nearly twice as long, in part because of the sheer number of participating political candidates, and also because of an accident that occurred along the parade route.
A woman participating in the parade caught her toe under the float’s tire and was knocked down, according to the Sebastian Police Department. Another tire on the float then ran over her leg. She was taken to Sebastian River Medical Center for treatment. (Read more about the accident.)
The incident shut down the parade for approximately 20 minutes.
Aside from the accident, the rest of the parade ran rather smoothly, with participants tossing candies to the kids and handing out everything from coupons and hand fans to bottles of water and freezer pops.
It’s the candy and other goodies that had 5-year-old Hunter Pankiewicz excited to be at the parade early.
He nodded his head vigorously when asked if that was his favorite part.
“I don’t like the loud noises,” Hunter added.
With him at the parade was his grandma, Sara Sheehan, who said they’ve been coming to the parade for the last couple years.
“It’s a lot of fun,” she said.
Sheehan, who most recently came from Pennsylvania, didn’t go to the Fourth of July parades there. In New Jersey, though, she had gone – but wasn’t impressed.
“This is a better parade here,” she said of Sebastian’s celebration. “There’s more to it, more to look at.”
Also in attendance along Indian River Drive was Air Force veteran Richard Kessell, who served in the Strategic Air Command during the Cold War in the 1950s. Kessell flew missions from England over Germany with the intent of bombing Russia if the call came through.
For him, attending the Fourth of July Parade, and the opening ceremony at Memorial Park that preceded it, is the least he can do.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he said of the festivities. “I can’t do enough to honor our country.”
He said his favorite part of the whole day is the opening ceremony with the flag raising.
“It brings tears to my eyes,” Kessell said.
He attended the parade with his wife, Cindy Christopher, who said she loves the “hometown flavor” the parade has – and seeing the large turnout.
“It’s all worth it,” she said of braving the heat and the sun to watch the parade go by.
Aside from the various political candidates who walked and rode in the parade, numerous businesses and civic groups participated, including various Cub, Boy and Girl Scout troops, churches, and veterans groups.
Parade watchers were serenaded by the GFWC Junior Woman’s Club Marching Band, as well as the Sebastian River High School Marching Sharks, along with live bands on various floats, including Capt. Hiram’s.
After the parade finally wrapped up, close to 10:30 a.m., parade-goers packed up their gear and stowed it in their vehicles. Some left to go cool off from the 90+-degree heat, while others stuck around to take in the fun at Riverview Park.
The park hosted an Apple Pie Baking Contest, a Watermelon Eating Contest, as well as a Hula Hoop Contest throughout the day, among other activities.
Ten home-baked pies were entered in the traditional apple pie contest to benefit the Sebastian Lions Club.
Amy Cousino took first place in both the best looking and best tasting pie categories with her entry “Amy’s Apple Pie.”
Tim Labue’s “Granny’s Spiced Apple” garnered second place for best looking and third place for taste.
Local chef and cookbook author Anne Devanney served as a judge, along with chef Joanie Reed of Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. Former Sebastian Mayor Carolyn Corum organized the contest again this year and County Commissioner Wesley Davis auctioned off the pies.
The festival continues with great food, live music, crafts and exhibits by local businesses and nonprofit organizations.
The Fourth of July Freedom Festival will conclude around 9 p.m. with a fireworks show over the Indian River Lagoon. The fireworks can be seen from most anywhere along the city’s waterfront, though most people watch from the event park on the east side of Riverview Park, between Indian River Drive and the water.