AROUND THE PARK AGAIN BY Sharon Lee Tegler
Excitement surged among parade participants at the St. Martins-in-the-Field and Our Shepherd Lutheran Church staging areas on opposite sides of Benfield Road. With step-off time for the 2021 Severna Park Community Center Independence Day Parade moments away, confusion reigned too, Many entrants, including the children and adults who’d be riding on Olde Severna Park’s patriotically decorated sailing ship, didn’t know where to go.
Liz League, CEO of the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce which organized the event, said there were communications difficulties stemming from holding the parade Monday, July 5th instead of Sunday, July 4th (because church services would have limited access).
“Missed emails and texts over the holiday weekend meant participants didn’t know which staging area to go to, but it all worked out and we had smooth sailing after that,” League said.
The motorcycle escort heading the parade hove into view of Benfield Road spectators shortly after 10 am. However, viewers at town center in Olde Severna Park had about 20 minutes to wait. They patiently listened to commentary from announcer Earl Shaffer though frequently cast glances up the hill past the Riggs Avenue judging stand for a first sighting of the parade.
They were rewarded with sirens blaring as a motorcycle escort roared down Riggs at 10:21 with a color guard from Marine Corps League Detachment 1049 marching smartly behind them.
A succession of color guards and A.A. County first responder vehicles was followed by the appearance of the parade’s Grand Marshall Eddie Conway waving from the back of a blue convertible that perfectly matched his star-studded jacket.
An entrepreneur, philanthropist and owner of Garry’s Grill, Conway was followed by the Garry’s Grill float he and his employees put together – the only float with live music aboard.
Considering that the parade was coming back after being canceled last year due to the COVID pandemic and held Monday, July 5th – a workday for some but a federal holiday for others – the crowd was good. It also seemed different. Unlike the most recent years, spectators came largely unencumbered with tents or even chairs. They just brought themselves and seemed so happy to see everyone else.
League, when asked for her impressions of the return of the Severna Park 4th of July Parade, said she loved it.
“The weather was great and, in spite of our occasional glitches, it was a happy day,” she added.
The most solemn and patriotic moment of the parade occurred fairly early with the appearance of the immense Nathan McDavitt Memorial Flag honoring Airman 1st Class Nathan McDavitt who died while serving his country on April 15, 2016. Carried by no less than 30 volunteers including cub scouts and boy scouts, the flag was presented at the judge’s stand to the accompaniment of a recording of the Star Spangled Banner performed by the late Whitney Houston.
A 1931 Ford Model A rounds the corner of Riggs Ave, and B&A Blvd. …………. 
………followed by a 1929 Ford convertible.
No Severna Park Independence Day Parade would be complete without the appearance of antique automobiles. In this case, they included a 1931 Model A and a 1929 Ford convertible followed by a 1957 Chevrolet convertible bearing Maryland Yacht Club’s 2021 Queen of the Chesapeake Ellie Hermann.
Multiple fire trucks from active companies, far and near, were joined by retired privately owned firetrucks including a restored Earleigh Heights VFC firetruck owned by Rod Reed, and a Rostraver VFC Truck 31 owned by the Gustafson family. There was also an unexpected entrant – a “pink” firetruck named “For Three Sisters” that was restored by retired firefighter Marshall Moneymaker to raise money to fight breast cancer which took the lives of all three of his sisters.
The retired Earleigh Heights firetruck beautifully restored by Rod Reed. 
The retired Rostraver VFC firetruck 31 restored by the Gustafson family of Severna Park.
A great deal happened between firetrucks including efforts by small businesses and community organizations like SPAN, Inc. whose directors and volunteers pulled red and blue wagons collecting donations for its food pantry, the floral decorated van of the Asbury Church Assistance Network, Chesapeake Harmony Chorus, Pets on Wheels, and the SPCA van among others.
The Chamber’s Decorated Bike Contest riders (from ages 2 through 11) pedaled through town looking as patriotic as ever.
First, second and third place winners for Most Beautiful were: Avery Jackson, Sophia Zimmerman and Emma Gramel – for Most Original were Piper Allee, Lily Lewis, and Natalie and Amelia Mastanik and – for Most Patriotic were Gemma Dornblaser, Everleigh Dornblaser and Justin Wilkins.
With the parade continuing apace, many entries were still making their way down Benfield Road including the colorful truck- bed float of the Millersville-based charity Orphan Grain Train which featured a replica of its headquarters building at 621 East West Boulevard. Volunteers riding on each side included director Elfie Eberle.
There’s no denying that floats are always parade viewers’ favorite things and this year’s variety, echoing the parade’s theme, “Celebrating the Community”, contained some gems. Here are a few.
Other imaginative floats receiving spectator plaudits included Park Books and Literacy Lab’s clever “Charlotte’s Web” float which was third best Community Entry, Donut Shack’s float featuring employees waving giant donuts, Emilio Escape Salon & Spa, the second best Commercial entry, and Cub Scout Pack 994’s float which captured Best Theme.
Judging from the general mood of the crowd, everyone enjoyed it – from spectators to participants. Toward the end of his parade adventure, Uncle Sam, who’d walked the entire way took time to pose for photographs with Miss Montgomery County and Miss Montgomery County Princess.
The return of the Severna Park Independence Day Parade paid off in ways yet to be counted. As always, it drew both locals and out-of-town visitors and meant increased business for the shops lining B&A Boulevard.
Parade-goers drawn to early corn and veggies at Diehl’s Produce
Diehl’s Produce would have been busy Monday anyway but there is no doubt that being located on the corner of B&A Boulevard and McKinsey Road, i.e. Parade Central, brought in additional customers. One glance at the huge supply of early Eastern Shore corn was enough to make anyone’s mouth water.
According to manager Jennifer Diehl, most of the vegetables the stand is noted for carrying have come in early and are in good supply.
“The corn is not only early but sweeter than ever. It’s very good,” she said.
The tomatoes are ripe, plump and plentiful.
Vegetables ranging from peppers, squash, eggplants, mushrooms, cucumbers and onions and various fruits and melons were available and the stand’s stock will only increase from now on.
As was the case last year, Diehl’s Produce is rounding up sales totals with the extra amounts of change combined to supply gift cards to SPAN, Inc. for its clients so they can purchase fresh produce to supplement canned and packaged goods from the food pantry shelves. To inquire about the program visit Diehl’s Produce | Facebook.
