Fourth of July Celebration
Connecting the community with a parade and park celebration.
Thanks to the precise planning by Recreation Manager Amy Holsapple-Lueck, an estimated five hundred people of all ages sat along Pappas Road to watch over fifty parade participants drive or walk in the annual Fourth of July Parade, a tradition our community has celebrated for decades. Moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas, children of all ages, and friends gathered on the sides of the road to celebrate America’s Independence Day in RTown style.
The hard-working Recreation Team, led by Amy, collaborated seamlessly with other SDCEA Team members, including Joshua Jones, Juli Elliott, Nancy Zadrozny, and Mark Stone, ensuring the parade and celebration provided an excellent experience for all attendees.
Ramona Royalty waved at the spectators—most dressed in a sea of red, white, and blue—and the Rodeo Queens waved while seated on their horses. Members of the San Vicente Saddle Club, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, CalFire and Smokey the Bear in shiny trucks, and many driving vintage tractors or vehicles participated along with Ramona business leaders, local service organizations, schools, sports teams, and champions, and the popular SDCEA Lifeguard Team sprayed everyone with water. Many Estates members also joined the festivities by decorating their golf carts and driving in our hometown community parade. Recreation Team members Joanne Rivera and Sophie Sheets served as the entertaining emcees and announced the parade participants as they passed.
SDCEA Board of Director members Vanessa Jerrell, Kathleen Kankelberg, Jackie Sedler, and Jeff Wells, along with their passengers and General Manager Darren Shaw, drove in festively decorated golf carts.
The Opening Presentation at the bandstand began at 11 am with a warm “Welcome to the Community” by SDCEA Board President Jeff Wells. Darren Shaw followed, serving as the Master of Ceremonies, and introduced Ramona Royalty, followed by the Estates Boy Scout Troop 679, who performed a Color Guard Ceremony, and Dave Castberg, who sang the National Anthem.
The winners of the parade were:
1st Place: Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association
2nd Place: Always Sunny Senior Day Care
3rd Place: Ramona Pony Baseball
After the parade, the park opened for the kids to swim in the pool, play games and take part in recreational activities and water experiences, including the popular water slide jumper. Six teams competed in the Horseshoe Tournament. Fresh BBQ food was prepared and served by the San Vicente Food & Beverage Team led by Chris Ostermann and Colleen Doulgeropoulos, and Outlaw BBQ was enjoyed.
At noon, the Black Canyon Band took the stage and played many of their favorite songs.
Countless excellent moments and joyful experiences were shared by those who attended. A huge thank you is extended to Recreation Manager Amy Holsapple-Lueck and all her dedicated Recreation Team members, who planned the details and executed everything, making for a fun and memorable day for all. A big thanks to Amy’s husband Joey and daughters Emma and Ella, who volunteered to help as needed.
Photos courtesy of Shelly Mullin at Shellz Dezign, Photography & Dogs, LLC.
