A Longboat Fourth

On Longboat Key, the Fourth of July is celebrated by the "world's shortest parade" followed by what amounts to an "old fashioned social" at Bicentennial Park.  The parade this year featured one station wagon (with tailgate open and patriotic music blaring from loudspeakers), three convertibles, a fire truck, an ambulance, a police car and then perhaps 150 individuals walking, on bicycles, skateboards, and various other wheeled conveyances.  The parade starts at Sun Trust, goes perhaps 100 yards to the Post Office turn, and then reverses course as it proceeds westward along this divided parkway, ending at the Town Hall entrance. Like I said, the world's shortest Fourth of July parade, darn tootin'.

 Now, after the parade, in which I was convertible number three, all participants and spectators proceed to the nearby park, where they have face painting for the children (yes, we actually do have a few), a hula hoop contest, water squirt guns, and various other games.

There were also waffles topped by strawberries and whipped cream, and the main event, the traditional butterfly release.   This was my first time to witness this up close, as individually wrapped (in paper triangles) butterflies were passed out to children and parents to all release on cue.  Of course, this being sponsored by the Longboat Observer, the Chamber of Commerce, and several smaller donors (including Kiwanis' $100 donation), we also featured the singing of the Star Spangled Banner (ballpark edition) and the Pledge of Allegiance.

We have seven elected politicians, nine appointed Planning Board members (often referred to as the Farm Team to the Town Council).  Convertible number one, driven by past President of Kiwanis Bob Gault and his wife, carried Mayor Jim Brown (and Shannon Gault's dog).  This may have been a tacit endorsement of dogs on the beach, eh Mayor?  Convertible number two was Commissioner Zunz, driven by her son.  Commissioner Gans chose to walk, being a man of the people.   So, three of seven showed up, and for P&Z there were two, one being myself.  My Corvette was number three, with the Chairperson and the Secretary of the Planning Board as featured political aspirants.  Aspirants hell, we're both ex Mayors, but we got elected by the people, not the other six Commissioners.

Oh, here's the funny part - Kurt Schultheis of The Observer did a great job of making up magnetic signs that read "B.J. Webb, Chairperson P&Z" and my name, as "Secretary P&Z".  Nice try Kurt, but magnets don't stick to fiberglass doors on Corvettes........never have, never will.  Happy Fourth of July, anyway.