Mary Katherine Murphy
Staff report
The patriotic spirit was in no short supply around Scotland County for this week’s Fourth of July holiday.
Deercroft’s Independence Day parade was preceded by its second annual fun walk, with 23 participants. The parade itself included local law enforcement and fire service representatives, with Deecroft residents decorating their usually pedestrian golf carts with banners and American flags for the occasion.
“We just took all of the decorations in our house and everything we could find in the store and embellished it,” said LuAnn McPhatter, parading with her sister Kathy Gillam. “We entered because I live in the neighborhood and we enjoy it - it’s something to do every year.”
McPhatter also won the parade’s award for the most patriotic entry overall. Another entry unstinting in its use of patriotic decorations was that of Dick and Candy Glidden, who won the prize for most flags used on a golf cart.
“I’ve been doing this for probably four years,” said Candy Glidden. “I just like having fun and being part of the community, enjoying the friends that we’ve made here while celebrating the birthday of our country.”
“I enjoy the parade because I’m with my wife and my friends and enjoying the Fourth of July,” added her husband, Dick.
Among the parade’s autmotive entries was Joe Tetreault’s 1953 CJ3 Jeep Bravo, originally purchased by his father. The Jeep was recognized as the parade’s most unusual entry. John MacNeill won oldest car with a 1948 model.
Deercroft’s Independence Day celebration also included promotion of fire prevention measures, as the community has been a National Fire Protection Association Firewise community since 2008. The day included information about measures homeowners can take to protect their homes from wildfires, a visit from Smokey the Bear, and a Dalmatian bounce house for children.
“About five or six years ago, I was the one who started the Firewise, and we brought this parade back,” said Suzanne Allen. “We used to have it a long time ago, but we brought it back and it gets bigger and better every year. It’s fun, and everybody was very celebratory this year I think.”
Throughout the parade, Joy Cloninger disguised as “Sparkles” the clown ensured, with the help of Kelsey Hunter, that participants and audience members were adorned with a little Fourth of July glitter.
In other parade awards, Scott and Cathi Smith won shiniest car, Joy Cloninger won most unusual golf cart, Don Barrett and family won most unique golf cart, Pam Flowe and son Xander won most colorful golf cart, and Sarah Hunter won cutest pet entry with her dog Max. In the motorcycle category, Fred Fox was recognized as loudest and Ed Bantz took home the prize for having the most flags.
The Deercroft event was followed by the city of Laurinburg’s annual public fireworks display at Scotland High School. The display began around 9 p.m. More than 100 people turned out with chairs and blankets to watch the display.
Post a Comment
