Annual patriotic parade welcomes piping plover mascot Stratty McMitchell
STRATHMERE — Amid the sights of patriotic-themed costumes, floats, bicycles, classic cars and fire engines, along with the sounds of wailing sirens and an exuberant crowd, Stratty McMitchell made its debut July 4 in Strathmere’s Independence Day parade.
The newly hatched mascot of the Strathmere Plover Project, standing 6 feet tall and sporting orange stockings, was the idea of longtime parade organizer Karen Mitchell and created by the relative of an island homeowner.
“It’s the Philly Phanatic of plovers,” Mitchell said.
The Pollinator Committee of the Strathmere Improvement Association (SIA), one of the multiple civic groups taking part in the parade, joined forces with the Plover Project for an extensive entry.
The overall theme was the need to preserve and rebuild native habitats to help protect endangered shorebirds and other wildlife.
“Through the generous donation of Karen Mitchell, we were able to have an authentic plover mascot this year,” said Deb Rivel, of the Plover Project. “We are trying to bring awareness to endangered species that nest on our beach — piping plovers, least terns, black skimmers and even terrapins.”
The groups’ combined float took first place in its division.
Rivel said she enjoys the community spirit.
“I love it because it brings everybody together from Strathmere. I have been coming here since I was born and I was actually in the first parade when I was just really tiny.”
Asked what year that was, she demurred. “I’m not going to tell you.”
Told by a reporter that he had heard at least 46 years, she replied, “That sounds good.”
“There were only a handful of us and we started down by the natural area, rode our little bikes with crepe paper in the wheels, and that was the start of the parade and look at it now,” she said.
Mitchell said the parade has been held for nearly 50 years.
“It’s always been the cornerstone of the year, for sure, and some of these people have been involved for generations,” she said.
Run by the 42-member parade committee, the annual event includes multiple divisions to increase participation.
“We have something for everyone. I try to make sure that everyone and anyone can enter,” Mitchell said, noting people do not have to be island residents to enter.
One facet of the parade noted by multiple organizers and attendees is the lack of government involvement. It is run completely by volunteers from the community.
Mitchell said many things needed for the parade are donated.
“We run on a tight budget; there’s no commercialism and no campaigning,” she said.
Chief judge Barb Durkin, who presides over tiebreakers if needed, said the parade is a community favorite.
“They just love it. It’s probably the only way that the whole community sees each other, so that’s kind of fun,” Durkin said. “We love it. We’ve been doing this for so long.”
Husband Len Durkin called it “small-town America.”
“We’re from Philadelphia, so you don’t get anything like this,” he said.
“It just reminds you of going back in time,” Barbara added.
Friends Rosemarie Whelan and Rose Rhine agreed with that sentiment.
“It’s Norman Rockwell,” Whelan said.
“The first time I saw this parade, I had tears in my eyes. It was so down-home,” Rhine added.
“The fact that it is community-run and all volunteers, people just want to be in the parade to celebrate the Fourth of July; it’s a lot of fun,” said Janice Connell, president of the SIA
Jeff Vermeulen of York, Pa., was getting ready for the parade with daughter Ava, 13, in a beach wheelchair decked out in patriotic colors.
“My in-laws are in Sea Isle and parents in Ocean City, so we kind of meet in the middle every year,” Vermeulen said, noting it was their eighth time taking part.
“We found it by accident. We were having breakfast the one July Fourth morning at Uncle Bill’s and we came out to like a total ruckus, so then we started coming back every year,” he said.
Chris Baeckstrom and Tatiana Baeckstrom, who was celebrating her 35th birthday in a sunflower costume, were carrying the banner for the Pollinator Committee.
Jake Zaun, 3, of Haddon Heights, was keeping the beat for the Strathmere Marching Band.
Anxiously awaiting the parade — and the candy — were cousins Caroline, Isabella and James Haenn with Annie and Lucy Havener.
Denean Schenck of Woolwich Township has been attending the parade for decades. She brought daughter Sienna Schenck, 18, and son John Schenck, 16, back again this year.
“My in-laws used to have a house and we keep coming back for the parade every year,” she said, noting her kids have been taking part since they were babies.
“They grew up watching the parade,” she said.
Sienna was decked out in red, white and blue on roller skates, flags protruding from her hair.
“A couple of year ago I saw someone skating and I was like, ‘Oh, my God. I just got skates. I’ve got to do it now,” she said.
Committeeman Curtis Corson said the parade is a great event for Upper Township.
“It’s an old hometown, small-town parade. It’s an anomaly; all run by volunteers,” he said. “It works well because probably government’s not involved in it.”
Corson rode his antique tractor in the parade, hoping for a blue ribbon.
“I don’t ever remember it not being here,” Corson said. “Everybody can participate, from the Legion Riders to the antiques to the fire companies to the kids to the pets.”
– STORY and PHOTOS by CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
