INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Sebastian’s Riverview Park was once again filled with music and laughter, numerous vendors, food, balloons and lots of kids and parents, Sunday. It was Christmas in July, one of the fundraisers for December’s Shop With A Cop event, sponsored by the Sebastian Police Department and the Indian River County Sheriff’s Department.
There was Holly Jolly (Volley) Ball; a Dunk Tank, booths offering a variety of great early holiday gift ideas, animals, games – and, chugging around in the middle of the park, the Firemen’s Express Trackless Train.
The air was filled with lively music and enticing aromas – DJ HHH-OP spun the tunes and vendors grilled hot dogs and burgers.
The boys (and their dads) were especially interested in a young man in black, David Owen, who stood beside his Legends Car, one of the 5/8-scale fiberglass full-fendered versions of the famed NASCAR modifieds, built by U.S. Legend Cars of Harrisburg, N.C., to create a fun and affordable class of racing. Owen’s is a version of a 1934 Ford Sedan, powered by a 1250 Yamaha street bike engine. He races in Orlando.
Samantha and Justin Beegle and their 8-month-old daughter, Lily, greeted visitors at their tent, where rows of creatively decorated mason jars and graceful glass bottles were displayed, repurposed as useful holiday décor.
Ayron Richards, 10, and Brennen Richards, 8, of Fellsmere, were gingerly getting acquainted with Harley, a handsome scarlet and green parrot visiting the festival from his foster home at Cindy Nichols’ parrot rescue in Micco.
Playful pups Paisley, 10 weeks old, and Jasmine, 11 months old, bounced about at the H.A.L.O. Rescue tent, enjoying the attention of the children.
Members of the Sebastian Police Department Volunteer Division were tending the tables festooned with bunches of balloons and filled with raffle and silent auction items, alluringly displayed in decorated baskets.
Long-time Sheriff’s Deputy Teddy Floyd was having a blast bustin’ a move in the dance line with Tina Marie Ioffredo and her “Sebastian Has Hip Hop” troupe.
Sebastian Police officers and Sheriff’s deputies mingled with the families, happy to see the turn out that would help underprivileged kids have a proper, merry Christmas. through the Shop With A Cop event. In December, law enforcement officers are paired with kids for an hour of Christmas shopping, made possible with the funds raised during the year.
In Sebastian the local Wal-Mart opens its doors and welcomes the young shoppers, who frequently, the officers have found, want to buy presents for their parents and siblings and have to be reminded to choose something for themselves as well.
Sebastian Police Chief Michelle Morris was delighted with the turnout.
“Kudos to Officer Ashley Penn and Deputy Roberta Barker for pulling this all together and all the people and vendors who came out. There are several thousand dollars in goodies in the auction and raffle baskets. We’re so blessed.”