By: Olwen Logan 07/09/12
The weather was beautiful Saturday morning when the Sound View Beach Association again hosted its traditional Independence Day parade. Particpants gathered at the north end of Hartford Ave. and then marched south towards Long Island Sound, back up Portland Ave. and across to Swan Ave. The final segment of the parade was the return trip up Hartford Ave. to the Shoreline Community Center.
Marchers in the parade were of all ages and decked out fully in the patriotic colors of red, white and blue.
The Silver Cornet Band dressed in their smart, new T-shirts played many a cheerful tune …
Old Lyme First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder and Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal joined the happy throng …
… as did numerous veterans …
… a carrot, who went on to win the prize for Funniest Costume …
… these super cyclists …
… and this delightfully attired young lady on stilts.
Parade fever was evident everywhere …
Parade Master Gail Fuller checks the carefully calculated results before emcee Frank Pappalardo announces the winners …
… who then gracefully stepped forward to receive their prizes.
Veterans who participated in the parade were:
Michael DiStefano – WWII veteran – U.S. Army Air Force
Dave Griswold – U.S. Marine veteran – Vietnam, ICORE
George Hunt – U.S. Marine veteran – WWII – Pacific
Ed Shyloski – U.S. Army veteran – WWII
John Urbowicz – U.S. Army veteran – Korea
The winners of parade prizes were:
Best Bike (Girl up to 7 years old): Jessica Lombardo and Gabriella Procki
Best Bike (Boy up to 7 years old): Jack Ayer
Best Bike (girl ages 8-12): Samantha Cassanelli
Best Bike (boy ages 8-12): Brad Noyes
Best Costume (girl up to 7 years old): Amica Ika
Best Costume (boy up to 7 years old): Van Lampos
Best Costume (girl ages 8-12): Mia Valente
Most Patriotic Costume: Thomas Fox
Funniest Costume: Healthy Cow and Carrot
Best Wagon: The Dubaldo Family
Best Float: The Spaziani Family
