Celebrating our Nation’s Birth

This past Friday, July 3, inaugurated the use of the newly refurbished Riverfront Park as a large crowd of both locals and visitors gathered in the park for an ice cream social following the Old Apalach Independence Day Parade.

Keeping with local tradition, the parade held the day before the start of the official holiday commenced at Lafayette Park, made its way down Avenue B to Water Street along the river and ended at Riverfront Park.

Both young and old alike donned patriotic garb as they strolled the park and commercial docking area as they joined in the celebration of our nation’s birth, which occurred some two hundred and thirty-three years ago.

Although missing from the event was the traditional display of fireworks, the beautifully landscaped park served as a backdrop to live patriotic music that stirred the souls of many, more so than the imagery of bombs busting in the air.

Taking part and adding to the celebration was a duck race sponsored by the Apalachicola Rotary Club as a means to raise funds to help in their fight against polio.

Overall, everyone in attendance appeared to have enjoyed the celebration along with the soothing savor of ice cream while watching the kids cool down on the hot July afternoon by splashing their feet in the water fountain recently installed as part of the parks renovation.

Photos and video taken by Gail D. Johnson