The Upper Keys will celebrate two major milestones this Independence Day as the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce hosts the 50th annual Fourth of July Parade while honoring the 250th anniversary of the United States with a full day of family-friendly activities.
Key Largo Chamber of Commerce President Suzi Youngberg joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning where she said final preparations are underway for one of the community’s signature annual events.
The parade begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, with participants asked to arrive at the staging area near Anthony’s Women’s Clothing Store on U.S. 1 by 8:30 a.m. Floats will travel north before concluding at Key Largo Community Park, where the celebration continues with the Freedom Fest Family Picnic from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This year’s parade will feature David “Video Dave” Kay. as grand marshal while commemorating five decades of the community tradition.
The family picnic will include free hot dogs for children provided by the Key Largo Rotary Club, multiple food vendors, shopping booths, bounce houses, children’s games, nonprofit exhibits and a new watermelon-eating contest hosted by Houston Insurance.
Food vendors scheduled to participate include It’s All Greek to Me, Bake My Day, Shock of Fresh, Polar Ice, Keys Teas and Mallory’s Bakery.
Youngberg said organizers have worked to create a welcoming, family-oriented atmosphere that resembles a traditional community fair.
The celebration concludes Saturday evening with a fireworks display over Blackwater Sound. While no evening festival is planned, residents and visitors are encouraged to watch the fireworks from bayside restaurants, resorts or designated viewing areas throughout Key Largo.
The event is presented by the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce with support from Key West International Airport, which has helped sponsor Fourth of July fireworks throughout the Florida Keys for several years. Additional sponsors include Sundowners Restaurant, Reefhouse Resort & Marina, Keys Weekly Newspapers, Playa Largo Resort, Houston Insurance, CDI of Monroe, HNO Productions and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.
Youngberg said sponsor participation is among the strongest in the event’s history.
Parade entries will be judged in multiple categories, and organizers expect strong competition as participants decorate floats in celebration of both America’s semiquincentennial and the parade’s golden anniversary.
Anyone wishing to participate in the parade is encouraged to register immediately, as registration is expected to close once final preparations and judging materials are completed.
Youngberg also reminded chamber members that the Key Largo Chamber’s bi-monthly networking luncheon will be held next Thursday at Playa Largo Resort, featuring Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln presenting the State of the County address.
For more information, click here: https://www.keylargochamber.org/