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Fire Trucks & Donut Holes

In this episode, Fire Trucks & Donut Holes: California Summit Celebrates Independence Day!

Dateline: July 4th, 2024. Welcome back to On the Fly, your neighborhood news on the go! Today, we're celebrating the spirit of community with a recap of this year’s fantastic California Summit Neighborhood 4th of July parade!

The 5th annual parade was a resounding success! Over 60 residents, representing the diverse fabric of our community, celebrated our nation's birthday with a festive walkathon (parade). Families of all ages and backgrounds joined in, from energetic youngsters on bikes, electric scooters, and skateboards to families strolling with little ones. It was a true community effort, with everyone walking about a mile and 1/2 together.

This year's parade had a Grand Marshal who rode in an electric golf cart. A group of happy kids followed closely behind on their decorated bikes, trikes, and scooters, as well as on foot. The mood was set by playing classic July 4th tunes from a boombox strapped to the back of their vehicle. Their enthusiasm and commitment helped make the event special, and we're so thankful for their creative approach to kicking off the festivities!

Meanwhile, generous neighbors who chose not to walk in the parade set up tables in their driveways, offering cool water to participants – a lifesaver on a hot day! Others got creative, whipping up delicious cotton candy for the kids, adding a touch of sugary fun to the walk. And, of course, plenty of residents lined the streets, waving flags and cheering on the walkers. This kind of enthusiastic support truly made the parade a special event for everyone.

And the fun didn't stop there! A big shout out to the Friestad family for organizing and generously hosting the after-parade party. Donut holes, hot dogs, chips, and cool, refreshing watermelon were the perfect way to refuel after the walk.

But wait, there's more! The local Vista Fire Department crew made a special appearance with one of their fire engines. Imagine the smiles on the kids' faces when they saw a real fire truck up close! This fantastic backdrop also served as a memorable spot for the group photo of all parade participants—a perfect way to capture the event's Red, White, and Blue community spirit.

Speaking of kids, the celebration didn't disappoint the younger residents either. A bouncy, jumpy house and neighborhood ice cream truck visit kept the smiles and energy high.

All in all, it was a day to remember. Thanks for joining us.

I’m Patrick Ball, your roving reporter for On the Fly. Join me next week for whatever comes to mind—really! Until then, get out there and celebrate your community!

Comments

Don Hanley said…
Great !! - a small town in a bit town.

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