More than 800 residents and non-residents attended the 49th annual Fourth of July Celebration at Whispering Pines Park as the Town of Cutler Bay and Whispering Pines Women’s Club once again joined forces to help celebrate America’s birthday in hometown style with a parade and picnic.
Besides the many residents there, also participating in the parade were Mayor Peggy Bell and other council members, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava and state representatives Kionne McGhee and Jose Javier Rodriquez.
The celebration’s parade was led by town policing unit officers and a fire truck from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Station 55.
Once the parade ended at Whispering Pines Park the party there began with a spectacular performance of the National Anthem by Diane Kessel. Event participants danced to live music, applauded patriotic speeches and proclamation presentations, enjoyed a giant shark slide and bounce house maze combination and relished in typical Fourth of July cuisine— hamburgers, hot dogs, sodas and watermelon, all of which were distributed free of charge, compliments of the town.
Mayor Bell said she was pleased with the turnout at the event and briefly recapped its history.
“The Fourth of July Celebration is one of our community’s most popular events,” Mayor Bell said. “This tradition, started by the Whispering Pines Women’s Club 49 years ago, highlights the small-town feel of Cutler Bay and generates pride in our community.
“I always enjoy seeing the elaborately designed golf carts during the annual parade.” she said. “This year was even more special because for the first time, Miami-Dade County permitted residents to travel to the Black Point Marina in their golf carts to continue the Fourth of July festivities and fireworks.”
Adding to the excitement was the traditional patriotic fly-by of two F-16 jets from The “Makos” 482 Fighter Wing stationed at the Homestead Air Reserve Base.
Making the popular annual event possible were the Cutler Bay Policing Unit, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department, Air on Demand, Pig Floyd’s BBQ, South Florida Trail Riders, Cutler Bay Solar Solutions, Boy Scouts and Venturing Crew 69, Whispering Pines Women’s Club and Cutler Bay Carts, plus the many volunteers who dedicated their time and service.
For information regarding upcoming special events visit the town’s website at www.cutlerbay-fl.gov or contact the Parks & Recreation Department at 305-234-4262.
