VERO BEACH — Before the countdown even started, little bursts of pops rung out through the upstairs of the Vero Beach Book Center. Children just too excited to wait, stepped on their sheets of repurposed bubble wrap.
But, those who were able to keep themselves disciplined to wait for the much-anticipated “One!” joined together in stomping and jumping on the plastic bubbles, making the store sound like the Fourth of July – one week early.
It was the finale of the Vero Beach Book Center’s Patriotic Party last Saturday, an hour’s worth of fun, reading and crafts focused on the nation’s birthday, all led by Miss Julie Dossantos.
“To do something like this is so special,” Dossantos said after the event, explaining that there aren’t many opportunities for children to play, make loud noises and otherwise be silly indoors, much less at stores.
Miss Julie spent the morning building up the children’s excitement about the Great Bubble Wrap Explosion, asking them why on earth they would pop bubbles.
“It makes fireworks sounds,” said 5-year-old Lindon, a second-timer for the Bubble Wrap Explosion.
Lindon came to visit her Vero Beach grandparents for part of the summer. The Vero Beach Book Center is just one of many places Jan Ponik and Greg Hawks are taking Lindon.
Lindon had advice for the newbies – wait until the countdown’s done and then jump!
Feeding into the Fourth of July theme, Miss Julie read “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
“Miss Julie might break into song,” she said, addressing the 50 children who had gathered for the event. “You might have to help me.”
The book contains the first two stanzas of the song and then some additional history about the U.S.
Among those who attended the Patriotic Party was 3 ½-year-old Harvest Fox, who said her favorite part of the event was story time. Her mom, Grace, of Vero Beach, said Harvest enjoys being able to spend time with other children.
“They give us so much,” Fox said of the Book Center, explaining that they often come to the weekly story time and other events.
Sisters Ansley, 6, and Saige, 9, said they couldn’t wait for the bubble wrap, adding that it’s their absolute favorite part of the party.
However, despite their love of the sound of fireworks, fireworks are not their favorite part of the Fourth of July.
Instead, the girls said they like the holiday because they get to spend so much time with friends and family.
Their grandmother, Pam Holmes, drove the girls up from her home in Ft. Pierce after they were dropped off from their place in Port St. Lucie.
“It’s a joy to come here,” Holmes said, waving off the drive-time to get to the store.
Between stories, the children were encouraged to make star-topped wands to wave as they paraded around the balcony. Waving to family, the children shouted, “Happy Fourth of July” and “Hello” as they paced along the railing.
“Every one of you made something different and unique,” marveled Miss Julie while surveying the wands. Though everyone was given the same decorations to use, each put their own spin on the wands.
And, after a reading of the “traditional” Fourth of July book – Crankee Doodle – the children grabbed a piece or two of bubble wrap and anxiously awaited the countdown. At “One!” they burst into action – as did the bubbles, and perhaps a few eardrums.