OCEAN CITY — Participants in the bike parade sweltered under a blazing sun and cloudless blue sky Saturday, but the triple-digit temperature could not compete with the patriotic fervor on the nation’s 250th Independence Day.
“We love Fourth of July, we love this country and it’s just a great time to be out with the kids and have fun and celebrate,” said Steve Hackney of Zanesville, Ohio. “The sun’s shining, we’re alive, God’s good. So we can’t complain, really. You know what I mean?”
Hackney and sister Donna Murphy of Brandon, Miss., were visiting the area where they grew up as a tribute to their older sister, an Egg Harbor Township resident who passed away about six weeks ago.
Participants gather at the parking lot alongside the Ocean City-Longport Bridge toll plaza at Newcastle Avenue and head east, then travel south down Wesley Road to Atlantic Boulevard and finally end up at Beach Road.
Duane Sonneborn, who has been part of running the Gardens Civic Association’s events since 2009, noted it was the organization’s 50th parade. Each year, the group sells T-shirts and other novelties during the parade and holds other events to raise money for a scholarship and to benefit local charities.
“It’s been great to run it,” he said, crediting the numerous other volunteers that help make it a success.
Olivia Nath, a rising sixth-grader at Ocean City Intermediate School, designed this year’s T-shirt through a contest at school.
“I think it’s really cool that I actually won,” said Olivia, who loves theater and soccer.
Christine McHale and Noelle Noyes were among those decked out in patriotic gear, with Noyes posing as Lady Liberty.
“I’ve been dressing up as the Statue of Liberty for 25 years in this parade,” said Noyes, a Gardens resident who noted her granddaughter was taking part in her first parade.
McHale said she and her family have watched the parade for years but never before took part.
Noyes said the camaraderie keeps her coming back.
“You see a lot of people you know, and the patriotism and, you know, I have to say everybody cheers for Lady Liberty,” she said.
Robert Libor and his children — Samantha, 21, Ryann, 23, and Van, 11 — drove down from Montgomery County, Pa., to visit his brother and take part in the parade.
Jason Marakovits and daughters Lindsey, 12, and Arizona, 21, were starting their day of celebration with about 10 others at the bike parade.
“We do it every year. It’s a great gathering of people and the children love it. It’s just a great time to be here,” Marakovits said.
Kate Grenko, 6, and friend Penelope Parish, 8, were all decked out in Fourth gear as they waited for the parade to pedal off. Zion Robertson, 8, came with his mom from West Chester, Pa.
– STORY and PHOTOS by CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
