Parade kicks of Independence Day festivities in Bonita

Get your American flags ready, put on the sunscreen and circle Saturday, July 1, on your calendar.

A parade and party in the park are coming to town and what better way to celebrate Independence Day than with family, friends and a good time?

The Bonita Springs Professional Firefighters Local 3444 union and the city of Bonita Springs are rolling out the big flags, musical acts and the best local food and drinks for a bash that starts on July 1 as part of the Star Spangled Bonita celebration.

The annual Independence Day parade will kick off the day at 9 a.m. with locals decorating themselves and their cars or boats with Americana style flavor and this year’s “Sea to Shining Sea” theme.

“Everybody is there to have a good old time and they will all come dressed up and ready to walk, ride or drive through Old 41,” said Dana Hoenie, a firefighter who is working out the details for the parade.

He will be taking forms for people interested in participating in the parade and says that all are welcome to participate. Those who want to be judged for their costumes or decorations must have their forms in to Hoenie before June 28.

“Whatever they want to do with the float is fine but of course the closer they stick to the theme, the better for the judges,” said Hoenie, who has been planning the parade since May.

The parade, which will be the 48th of its kind, will start at Rosemary Drive on Old 41 and head south to Hampton Street.

“Our parades are always fun with water battles, the sheriff’s department always does something and the city council comes out,” Hoenie said.

The Bonita Springs Professional Firefighters Local 3444 union also puts out a book with local advertisers and a program schedule as a fundraiser for children’s burn centers, nonprofit organizations and other clubs in the area.

“Some of the money goes to pay for the insurance to have the parade but the rest goes to the charities that the union helps,” Hoenie said. “It’s a good way to celebrate independence and being a part of America.”

According to Hoenie, the parade is being held on July 1 instead of on the weekday of July 4 because past parades have had little turnout if held on weekdays.

“The day off is a weekday and nobody has the day after off. That’s our main reason. We have done it a couple times throughout all the years,” Hoenie said. “It’s never paid off to do it on a holiday; we just didn’t get the turn out.”

But celebrating Independence Day in Bonita Springs is much more than a morning parade, the fun continues into the early afternoon with a party at Riverside Park on Old 41 until 1 p.m.

“It’s going to be one fantastic celebration and two spectacular events,” said Trish Leonard, co-chair of the party in the park.

The Riverside Celebration will include local businesses offering the best food and drink in Bonita and musical acts like the Bob Leary New Orleans Dixieland Band.

The event will also have a children’s area complete with water slide and games.

“We encourage everyone to bring chairs and watch all the events on the main stage,” Leonard said.

The main stage will be full of activities with Russell’s Clam Bakes hosting a hot dog eating competition.

“Anybody who wants to go on stage and try it can. They have three minutes to eat as many hot dog’s as they can with the bun,” Leonard said.

Whoever wins gets a trophy in City Hall and is crowned “Bonita’s Top Dog.”

“The winner also gets a cooler with hot dogs and buns just in case they still have space (in their stomachs),” she joked.

For those who haven’t had enough time to brush up on their competitive eating skills, they can try their hand at baking for the annual Bonita’s Best Blue Ribbon Pie Contest. Bakers are invited to enter their best pie with the entry forms available at City Hall.

“There are four categories and there will be four winners for each category and a winner for the overall best pie,” Leonard said.

She suggests people bring in their pies at 10 a.m. to the community center across from Riverside Park. Entries will be judged and visitors will be allowed to purchase slices of pie.

“This is just an opportunity to come together as a whole and celebrate their independence and be thankful for being in a wonderful country,” Leonard said. “We are excited and it will be all colorful and all just red, white and blue.”