Dorian Patton, special projects coordinator for the city of Key West, joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about the celebration this weekend.
America’s 250th birthday will be celebrated this Saturday, June 27 at Truman Waterfront Park.
Patton said, “At 5o’clock over at the Truman Waterfront we’ll be setting up and starting the arrival of all the parade participants on Duval Street. We’re going to be starting at United and Duval, setting up the parade as everybody comes in. We will have the US Navy, the Coast Guard, Key West Navy League, the MAC, the VFW, the American Legion, and the sea cadets, the junior ROTC, everyone will be marching in the parade. We’ll have the command staff, along with the mayor of the city, the mayor of the county, leading us off in the front, and then we’ll have the commissioners of the county and the city and other elected officials throughout the city walking in the parade, just wave at everybody and kick off the celebration of the 250th Key West style. Everything starts with a parade. So we will step off at 6o’clock at Truman and Duval. We will go down Duval Street, take a left on Southern Street, and we will end up ending into the Truman Waterfront Park, which is by right there by the splash pad. All of them will go in. They will have a seat. As soon as everyone is seated, we’ll kick off with the national anthem and a presentation of colors with all the troops standing. After that, we’ll have a short program with words from mayor of the city, some of the command staff from the Navy, and then closing out with the mayor of the county saying a few words, and then it is all about everyone having fun and celebrating and eating out there on the grounds. The concert will kick off at 7o’clock with local artists and some that we have coming in from out of town, and the concert will run from seven to 10.”
This will be a big event.
Patton said, “It will be amazing. And just let everybody know, there’s something out there for everyone, like the splash pad will be open. The kids zone will have a brand new obstacle course over there. It is a blow up obstacle course. It’s the biggest blow up that I’ve ever seen, plus bounce houses, plus some other activities. Tropical Vives will be right there next to it. FKAA will have their water station out there, so you can fill your water bottles. It’s a group effort. There’s a lot of participation from a lot of different organizations in Key West. We’ll have a gigantic American flag hanging 45 feet in the air that everybody can see from a distance. Daily Planet has been helping us, which is amazing. Mount Sinai Opal Key Resort is out there helping us. Coca Cola Beverages, Florida Keys Energy, Keys Weekly, Four Star Rental, and of course this little company called Magnum Broadcasting, they are amazing. That would be Michael Stapleford and all of his team and all of his radio stations have been amazing, helping us get the word out.”
Michael Stapleford of Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM said, “Thank you for that shout out, but it is again, as I always say, I’m humbled to be able to give back and just be a part of this tremendous community, and a lot of people will be feeling very proud that night as the city of Key West celebrates America’s 250th in our beloved Key West.”
This is a free event.
Patton said, “The lawn is open. Bring your blankets, bring your chairs. Everybody can come out there and be able to sit on the lawn and enjoy everything as much as they want. It starts at five, so if they want to be up close, they get there at 5o’clock while you’re starting the music before we get there, and then at about 6:20 to 6:30 they’ll be able to wave and clap and welcome in all the troops walking into the park as they go by, and then they’ll come in through the backside of the behind the stage and come in and get in their seats, so that we can start the programming, but it is open to everyone. There’s lots of things to do out there, there’s lots of food vendors and other vendors out there, just stay hydrated, and FKA will help us with that, and a special thanks to Parks and Rec Division, because we couldn’t do it without them helping us set up arrowcades and getting the grass and everything ready out there for this big event. It’s going to be a big one, it’s going to be great.”
If you can’t make it to the park, you can still watch the parade.
Patton said, “Just line up between Truman and Southern Street and wave on the troops and give them a high five or or a thumbs up or a clap and let them know that they’re very proud of them for what they’ve done for the country and even if they turn on Southern they can line up along Southern there all the way into the park and wave at them, and give them a big thumbs up and a thank you.”
For more information on the event, click here: https://www.cityofkeywest-fl.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/1208