|
Saturday's Internet Edition, July 31, 2010.
RM Fourth of July sparkles from dawn to dark
|
Photo by Andrew Greene
Fourth of July fireworks light up the sky in Rancho Murieta above Laguna Joaquin in Rancho Murieta.
|
By Sheri Barile
River Valley Times Reporter
-
Independence Day in Rancho Murieta was a blend of homespun entertainment and patriotic grandeur. Thousands gathered to enjoy the day’s events that included a Fun Run 5K, pancake breakfast, colorful parade, lakeside carnival, music, dancing – and, of course, a large fireworks display.
RM Kiwanis sponsored the pancake breakfast, and the Fun Run races for children and adults were sponsored by Murieta Health Club. The smells of coffee, frying sausage and maple syrup blended in the air while the sounds of music performed by RM’s own Isaiah mingled with the laughter of chatting friends.
More than 900 were served under the gazebo’s canopy by 55 volunteers who kept things running smoothly, according to event chair Elayne Sandusky.
While the cakes were on the griddle, 140 people lined up for the 28th annual 5K Fun Run. In his sixth showing in the race, record holder Jonathan Ahmann was the men’s winner. Susan Hopkey took first place among women.
Sponsor Erin Howard awarded toy prizes to participants in three Fun Run races for kids. Parker Faeth, 9, won in both the 10-and-under and the 11-12 age groups.
On Murieta Parkway, 110 elaborately decorated golf carts lined up for the Rancho Murieta Association Holiday Parade, all boasting patriotic themes. Children on decorated bikes, motorized cars, wagons, strollers and scooters joined in, as did several floats and approximately 25 classic cars.
RM crowds estimated at over 1,000 moved on from the parade to Lake Clementia Park for the annual carnival. Barbecue smoke billowed, children squealed in jumphouses and homemade pies were sampled and judged.
The carnival, sponsored by RM Optimist Club, also included games, a batting cage, Slip and Dip waterslide, hula-hoop hut, face-painting station, a watermelon-eating contest and more.
Boy Scouts of Troop 633 prepared Sno-cones. Hamburger meals and root beer floats were sold by the Optimist Club to help fund the day’s activities. Event chair Melinda Martel said 700 hot dog meals, free for children, were prepared and served. “The food went over really well," she said.
RM Optimist Club provided pre-fireworks entertainment with music and dancing at the gazebo. Nearly 100 dancers hit the cement to tunes spun by Sound Connections Pro. D.J. Service. Lines of children, teens and adults joined the conga line and chicken dance. Optimist President April Mattice said that around 75 glow-necklaces were sold.
Pyro-Spectacular returned to operate the RMA-sponsored fireworks display, and Steve Lammerding was chief operator of the 400-shell, hand-fired extravaganza. Spectators gave voice to their delight throughout the 25-minute display that culminated in a show-stopping grand finale.
RMA assistant general manager Danise Hetland said many positive comments were received on July 6 by satisfied residents. “We got lots of calls from residents who were pleased with the fireworks,” Hetland said.
Natalie Velez has attended the fireworks through her 19 years in RM and said they never disappoint. “This year’s fireworks were the best I have ever seen, and they seem to get better with each passing year,” she said.
Fourth of July parade winners
Most Patriotic was the O’Connor cart featuring a Happy Birthday America theme. The cart was decked out with a large red, white and blue birthday cake on the roof and a banner on the side that read “Happy Birthday America.”
Most Creative/Funny went to the Samson family for their American pioneer-themed golf cart, which contained a series of covered wagons.
Best-decorated was given to the McBeath/Adams family who created a boat theme. The parent's boat was followed by a miniaturized child’s motorcar transformed into a sailboat.
Honorable mention went to the golf cart with a duck-hunting theme, decorated by the Craig family.
In the children’s contest, awards were given to boys and girls in the same categories as the carts. Winning boys were: Pasquale Messana for Most Patriotic; Kelly and Clay Cantrell for Most Creative/funny; Bradon Baker and Robert Homman tied for Best Decorated and Kenton Ammer received Honorable Mention.
Girl winners were Tori Davis for Most Patriotic; Addison Pohll for most Creative/funny; Leah Polson tied with Rachael Galet for Best Decorated and Honorable Mention went to Annie and Audrey Garrison.
|
Online publication, Copyright 2005, The River Valley Times.
Web page design,
Copyright 2005, EZ Edit Web Publishing.
|
|
| |