Another Spirit of Independence celebration is in the Verrado history books! Thanks to many sponsors and 25 talented and energetic volunteers, Verrado neighbors got to enjoy two fun-filled days of festivities right in their own “hometown.”

First up was the bike decorating party on July 3 hosted by The Goddard School® at The Center on Main. The young and young-at-heart decked out their wheels in red, white, and blue décor in preparation for the 10th Annual Children’s Bike Parade scheduled for the morning of July 4.

On July 4, Verrado was bursting with enthusiasm as neighbors gathered for a pancake breakfast hosted by Tempo Urban Bistro. The Goodard School set a patriotic stage for the morning parade with helium-filled balloons. The parade route was new this year and extended down Main Street, through the round-a-bout at School Hill Road, and back up and around the Village Green.

Kiran Mann, a vocal student of Anderson Institute of Music, kicked off the parade by singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” and Uncle Sam made a special appearance posing for photos. The 10th annual parade boasted 450 participants who walked, pushed and peddled along the route led by the Buckeye Fire Department in a vintage truck. Aboard the fire truck were residents who were celebrating their 10-year anniversary living in Verrado. More than 100 spectators cheered as the parade passed by. Following the parade, neighbors cooled off with ice cream compliments of Verrado Realty.

That evening the Fete & Fireworks activities, co-hosted by The Verrado Golf Club™ and Verrado Grille, got underway at about 5:30 p.m. Neighbors had the option to choose between “no sweat seating” with all-you-can-eat barbecue buffet or a spot on the green with concession fare provided Café de Light and Dream A Dream. Either way, everyone had a spectacular view of the fireworks display.

While waiting for the sky to darken and fireworks to begin, neighbors enjoyed water activities and contests hosted by the Verrado Assembly. Among the activities were the Watermelon Eating Contest sponsored by Bashas’ and the Pie Eating Contest sponsored by Verrado Grille. Contestants who polished off watermelons and pies the fastest won $5 Bashas’ gift cards. But the tastiest event was the 10th Annual Pie Baking Contest. Six judges sampled 10 pies baked by adult residents and six pies baked by youth residents. Mary Williams Miller and Lauren Duty each won a blue ribbon and $50 Bashas’ card for the adult and youth categories respectively.

As neighbors enjoyed the activities, Take Cover entertained the crowd with live music. And just before fireworks lit up the night sky, Katryna Eastwood, another Anderson Institute of Music vocal student performed the national anthem. Those who heard Katryna sing reported goose bumps because her rendition was so well performed. After Fete & Fireworks concluded, those with energy left to party headed over to Tempo Urban Bistro for more refreshments and live music by Verrado’s own teen band, The Receptacles.

The Verrado Assembly extends their appreciation and thanks to all the volunteers, sponsors, and others who helped make Verrado’s Spirit of Independence tradition a success. Remember to enter your photos from the events in the Verrado Facebook Photo Contest and you could take home a $50 gift card to one of Main Street’s fine establishments. The winner with the best overall picture wins a $100 gift card. And you never know, the photo you captured of this year’s memories could be used on the flyer for next year’s Spirit of Independence!