5 minute read
Let Freedom Ring!
Our Community feature by Sheila Turner-Hilliard
Photos courtesy of the Marple Newtown 4th of July Parade Committee
Congratulations to All Winners in the 4th of July Parade!
The reviews are in: The 2021 Marple Newtown 4th of July Parade was one for the record books! The weather was perfect, the streets were packed with people, and the excitement in the air was electric.
Marty Godfrey, longtime Broomall resident and Owner of Mrs. Marty's Deli, was Grand Marshall of this year's parade, which was dedicated to Frontline Workers, First Responders and Essential Workers.
Grand Marshall of the parade Marty Godfrey
For many residents of Newtown Square and Marple, this year’s parade marked the end of the pandemic and the beginning of letting our new freedom ring. Praise and thanks to the Parade Committee flooded their Facebook page just minutes after the conclusion. Words used to describe the event were “spectacular,” “the best one yet,” and “absolutely perfect.”
Spectators were entertained by marching bands such as Mersey-British Rock Invasion and the Slim Jim & Big Guy Band. And new to the parade this year was The Marching Cobras Drumline and Danceline from New York. Our local marching bands, fire companies and first responders joined in the fun. We even had an impressive helicopter fly-over from PennSTAR, a nonprofit organization that provides rapid transport of critical care patients as well as on-scene services at the site of accidents and trauma-related incidents.
Local businesses, community clubs and neighborhood residents did not disappoint with their decorated floats, marching groups and costumed individuals. But it was the little ones who stole the show with their creative and festively decorated strollers, wagons, hand-drawn floats and bikes. In fact, the award for Best of Parade was 7-year-old Reese Armstrong, whose hand-drawn float Happy Birthday America earned her the largest trophy of the day.
Best of Parade winner Reese Armstrong
The parade ended with a celebration of our great country. Volunteers were on hand to serve pretzels, hot dogs and water. The crowd gathered to listen to The Marple Newtown Community Band play our National Anthem, after which the awards ceremony began. Medals and trophies were given to the top three entries in each division, and their names and photos will be featured in the 2022 parade commemorative book.
Congratulations to All of the Winners!
SMALL FLOAT 1st: Newtown Township GOP; 2nd: Newtown Edgmont Little League; 3rd: Marple Newtown Ice Hockey Club.
1st Place Small Float
MEDIUM FLOAT 1st: Newtown Square Presbyterian Church; 2nd: Boy Scout Troop 122; 3rd: Operation Christmas Child.
1st Place Medium Float
LARGE FLOAT 1st: Marple Civic Association; 2nd: Delaware County GOP.
1st Place Large Float
MARCHING GROUP 1st: Art in Motion Dance Studio; 2nd: Action Karate; 3rd: Boy Scout troop 151.
COMMERCIAL FLOAT 1st: The Giant Company; 2nd: Rose Tree Place; 3rd: Your Place Your Way.
COSTUMED INDIVIDUAL 1st: Fiona Douglas; 2nd: Daniel Douglas; 3rd: Collin Douglas.
BIKE BRIGADE (Group) 1st: Evak Family; 2nd: Mackrell Family.
BIKE BRIGADE (Individual under age 6): 3 & Under 1st: Jayson Hood. Age 4 1st: Beckett Kern. Age 5 1st: Dominic DiGioia; 2nd: Olivia Potter; 3rd: Jude Armstrong.
1st Place Bike Brigade, age 5 winner Dominic DiGioia
BIKE BRIGADE (Individual age 6-8): Age 6 1st: Callie Johnson; 2nd (tie): Joey Pinto and Jacob Mackrell. Age 7 1st: Abbie Barfield; 2nd: Stellan Kern; 3rd: Gavin Shiel. Age 8 1st: Colton Johnson; 2nd (tie): Eliza Pendleton and Steven Lisa; 3rd (tie): Madison Mackrell and Ella Mszennik.
BIKE BRIGADE (Individual age 9+): Age 9 1st: Austin Heffer; 2nd: Conall Hauck; 3rd: Katelyn White. Age 10 & Over 1st: Phoenix McFetridge; 2nd: Emma Costa; 3rd (tie): Nico D'Alessandro and Karen Boyle.
1st Place Bike Brigade, ages 10+ winner Phoenix McFetridge
STROLLERS & WAGONS 1st: Kyle Hood; 2nd: Chase Jillard; 3rd: Savannah Carminati.
HAND-DRAWN FLOATS: 1st: Happy Birthday America – Reese Armstrong (Best of Parade); 2nd: America the Beautiful – Long and Aguirre Families; 3rd: Two Princesses – Peters Family.
When the 2020 parade was canceled due to the pandemic, the committee launched a Red, White and YOU! decorating contest for area residents and businesses. The turnout was so successful last year that they decided to continue the tradition. Judges toured the area and awarded prizes such as “Best Window,” “Most Patriotic” and “Hometown Heroes.”
THE 2021 RED, WHITE AND YOU! DECORATING CONTEST
When the 2020 parade was canceled due to the pandemic, the committee launched a Red, White and YOU! decorating contest for area residents and businesses. The turnout was so successful last year that they decided to continue the tradition. Judges toured the area and awarded prizes such as “Best Window,” “Most Patriotic” and “Hometown Heroes.”
There were over 20 entries from Broomall and Newtown Square. Judging took place July 1–3, and winners were greeted by a caravan of judges, complete with Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty and a congratulatory lawn sign. All entries received a participation certificate.
Best Residence Frese Household, S Malin Rd, Broomall
Best Business From the Top Studio of Dance, Chapel Rd, Newtown Square
Most Patriotic James Cook, Sussex Rd, Broomall
Most Creative The Jordans, Springfield Rd, Broomall
Hometown Hero Award Connie and Pat Drumm, St. Albans Ave, Newtown Square
Best Window The Flag & Sign Place, West Chester Pike, Broomall
Best Use of Red, White and Blue The Carinis, Hearth Rd, Broomall
Most Fun Celebrating Freedom and the Flag, Rittenhouse Rd, Broomall
Best at Night Solar Extravaganza, 4 th Ave, Newtown Square
Best Under 14 The Nelsons, Netherington Rd, Broomall
Most Traditional The Moore Home, S Sproul Rd, Broomall
Best Balcony Campbell/Kimble household, S Parkway Rd, Broomall
Best Mailbox 3310 Sawmill Rd, Newtown Square
Honorable Mentions Newtown Square: 300 3rd Ave, 194 E Chelsea Cir and the PA Agency of Nurses, St. Albans Ave.
Honorable Mentions Broomall: 25 Rittenhouse Rd, 43 S Sproul Rd, 51 S Malin Rd, 38 Fairview Rd, 111 James Rd, and 2215 Clover Dr.
