Parade participants talk of patriotism, honoring founders, lemonade and fireworks
OCEAN CITY — One day of the year, America’s Greatest Family Resort stakes its best claim to being America’s Most Patriotic Resort.
With enough stripes to shame a herd of zebras and enough stars to challenge the Milky Way, residents and visitors alike don the red, white and blue while marching through the city’s streets to honor the founding of this nation.
Hundreds of people gathered Tuesday morning in the parking lot of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church at 39th Street and Central Avenue before embarking on the annual South Ocean City Improvement Association bike parade that would take them to 52nd Street.
Before the parade began, participants explained why they took the time out on the national holiday to dress up, decorate their bikes, trikes, wagons and strollers, and what the Fourth of July means to them.
“It means home of the free because of the brave,” said Marie Dolan, a grandmother who was wearing aviator sunglasses and an inflatable plane costume and carrying a photo of a World War II veteran on a tank.
Nearly 20 family members — the Dolan, Palmeri and Coyle clans from Bucks County, Pa. — held photos of their veteran elders, gathered around a banner and a small float that held an amplifier so one member could sing as they walked and rode along the parade route.
“These are the great-grandparents,” Dolan explained of the placards family members carried.
“They all served in World War II, the Korean War. That’s their pictures (on signs). And their great-grandchildren knew these people. They all got to know them. All the little ones (here) are the great-grandchildren.
“This is America,” Dolan added. “I can’t even talk. I’m all choked up.”
“We love it. We’re all proud to live here. Every year that we come to Ocean City we try to take part. It just means a lot to us to be loyal to the country,” said Rob Babezki of West Chester, Pa.
“I’ve been doing this parade since I’ve been little, so it’s exciting that we get to bring him this year and celebrate the Fourth of July,” his wife, Amanda Babezki, said about their son, Nash.
“And I’m going to throw candy. I’m going to throw Dum-Dums at the kids,” the 5-year-old said.
Asked about the little float he would be riding, Nash explained (repeating his mom’s sweet prodding), “We decorated it this morning.”
Proud grandfather Dale Sansoni of Havertown, Pa., was with grandsons Benjamin and Charlie Amole, 7 and 5, respectively.
“It’s a time to respect what has happened before and we go all the way back to 1776 with Jefferson and Adams and all those 35-year-old guys who changed the world,” Sansoni said.
Siblings Lauren, 5, Mason, 7, and Tiernan, 9, were with their parents, Ashleigh and Andre Morales of Bucks County, Pa. The kids had their bicycles decorated with flags and other patriotic items.
“It’s so much fun,” Ashleigh Morales said of the parade. “We love our country and having a good time and maybe winning a trophy,” she added, laughing.
“44th Street Little Miss Independent” Caroline Leich, 2.5, was on a tiny tricycle accompanied by her dad, David Leich, and maternal grandfather Chip Schofield of 44th Street in Ocean City.
“This has been a tradition for her mom for the past 30 years,” David Leich, of Annapolis, Md., said about his daughter, “and she has been doing this for three years. This is her third one.”
Leich said the Fourth of July means “family, friends, food and to celebrate.”
Schofield added, “Independence, freedom, lemonade and fireworks, yeah!”
Patti Kiefer of Ocean City and Philadelphia, who looked like she was riding a patriotic T-rex, was with daughter Laura Kiefer Adams of Logan Township and granddaughter Norma Kiefer Adams, who is “5 and fabulous,” according to her mom.
Patti said her son-in-law found the patriotic, blow-up costume and came up with the entire theme, but her daughter interjected, “The two of you are a great team.”
“Mom and Norma decorated the cart together and my husband’s idea was the blow-up,” Laura said.
“I don’t know how I’m going to walk to 52nd Street with this,” Patti said, laughing. “Maybe I’ll lose a few pounds.”
Asked why she enjoys taking part in the annual parade, Patti replied, “Because I’ve been a part of Ocean City all of my life. I won’t tell you how old I am but I’ve been here since I was 7 years old. I just love festivities and they just gave me a party because I retired.”
“Just to celebrate, freedom, America, fun, Ocean City,” Laura added. “Doing fun things with my kids, exposing them to different activities, fun group activities with our family.
“And I make her,” Patti said, laughing again. “She forces me,” Laura said, joining the laughter.
