Key Biscayne July 4 celebration a 'fantastic' event.KEY BISCAYNE STREETS FILLED WITH HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE FRIDAY WHO CAME OUT TO SEE THE VILLAGE'S 49th ANNUAL FOURTH OF JULY PARADE. The Miami Herald, July 10, 2008, B Y ROCíO BLANCO GARCíA "This is a fantastic home-grown event that has been growing each year," said Key Biscayne resident Granados. "My four children grew up attending this event." Longtime attendees and newcomers alike graced Crandon Boulevard to watch the annual festivities. With enthusiasm, 1-year-old Sofía Landa waved her little American flag as she and thousands came out, some wearing red, white and blue, to fill the usually less-crowded streets of Key Biscayne with floats. After the Key Biscayne band, The Chowder Champers, kicked off the event with the national anthem, the 93rd Fighter Squadron from the Homestead Air Force Reserve base flew over the village. Sofía's mother, Ashley Landa, attending her first Key Biscayne parade, thought the event was well organized. This year, the event turned 49, and to celebrate, dozens of marching bands and organizations marched through Crandon Boulevard throwing candy and American flags. For the first time, a "high school" was represented in the parade. Key Biscayne does not have a high school yet, but the high school committee, which has been fighting to get one in the village, presented Friday the future high-schoolers who entertained the crowd with music and dance. The high-schoolers also won over the judges, who chose their float as the most creative. "The kids were thrilled; they were really really happy," said Angel Martín, who chairs the Key Biscayne High School Initiative. "We can't believe we were able to put together something like that in 10 days and win the award." The parade, whose history dates to the 1950s, started when a few Key Biscayne friends decided to march through the village playing instruments and wearing hats. The result: The origin of the Chowder Champers, which each year open the parade. Since then, more organizations participate. Mark Fried, president of the parade committee, said the parade, which this year cost almost $40,000, gets more expensive. The parade committee pays for the event by selling T-shirts and buttons. Corporate sponsors and private donations also help. After the two-hour parade, more activities were in store for residents. The Kiwanis Club held a barbecue at the Village Green, and when the sun sat, fireworks illuminated the sky. "This is great," Landa said. "We are definitely coming back next year."  |
