AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Motorcycle engines revving and sirens blaring, the 2022 Severna Park Independence Day parade roared down Benfield Road at a rapid pace, cresting the hill atop Riggs Avenue at 10:10 am and passing the judge’s stand before turning onto Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard.
A Marine Corps League color guard stepped smartly, flags waving, followed by the equally impressive Anne Arundel County Department of Detention honor guard. It wasn’t until the firetruck from Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Department passed by that the Chrysler LaBaron convertible bearing Grand Marshall Kevin Sosnoski rolled into view.
Well-known as the owner/manager of Goska’s Liquors – a family business that celebrated its 92nd anniversary in February – Sosnoski said he’d been surprised to be invited to be Grand Marshall for the parade.
One of the youngest individuals to ever serve as Grand Marshall, Sosnoski’s selection when this year’s theme was “Celebrating Our Rich History” seemed fitting. Goska’s played an important role in the town’s history weathering the roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, and World War II among other eras.
Viewing the parade from the back of a convertible was an amazing experience, one the Grand Marshall won’t soon forget. He shared his impressions the day following the parade.
“It quite an honor and it was fun. My arms are tired right now from waving so much,” Sosnoski said. “I couldn’t believe how many people there were along Benfield Road where they were four and five people deep and bigger crowds coming into Olde Severna Park. There were a whole lot of ‘Goska’ chants from spectators along the way and lot of people shouting ‘Who’s that. Oh, Goska’s. I shop there’.”
Always busy during holidays, the last time he’d been to the Severna Park parade was as a child. So, a first-time look from the inside was awe inspiring.
“I was impressed by the amount of work that went into the preparations at the staging areas at St. Martin’s-in-the-Field and Our Shepherd Lutheran churches, especially for the floats. It was also a privilege to speak with two World War II veterans being honored in the parade.”
Veteran Tom Lindsay, who was 101 years old, was escorted by the Heroes of Severna Park organization while vintage automobile owner Gene Jarbo bore 96-year-old veteran Earl Daff along in his 1957 Chevy Convertible.
Sosnoski said he debated whether to sit up on the back of the open convertible which seemed slightly precarious but decided to go for it.
“I’m not a sailor or boater, but I kind of likened the experience to being afloat – like the road was a waterway. The wake that a boat would make was like the people on each side. It was amazing because there was so much life to the left and right of me.”
From young children to seniors, the spectators enthusiastically embraced being part of an annual tradition that began in 1974 when the late Hammond S. Carr rounded up the neighborhood kids and paraded them up and down B & A Boulevard in a patriotically decorated truck. With help from “chicken wire genius”, Lew Heck, they soon created the first floats. Within a few years, the parade became one of the county’s biggest events.
Now organized by the Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by area businesses, the event offers a something for everyone. Little kids loved the firetrucks. There were several including a vintage model owned by Matt Gustafson and filled with family members. The later model Rostraver Volunteer Fire Department Truck 31 was also owned by the Gustafson family.
Patriotism was on full display with the appearance of a color guard of flags carried by Boy Scout Troop 8I5 preceeding the gigantic Nathaniel McDavitt Memorial American flag seen in the opening photo. (The flag honors the memory of the 2011 Severna Park High grad who lost his life while deployed to the Middle East.)
Red, white and blue was also evident in the parade attire of friends and families along the parade route. Patriotically spirited Justin Lewis sported a red, white and blue theme including headband, star-spangled jacket, and red trousers while daughters Allison (on his shoulder) and Daphne wore patriotically checked gingham and wife Laura and baby son Silas wore Spirit of 76 shirts.
On a convenient hillside nearby, friends Tucker Legnon, Cameron Weeks, Lucas Emerich, Audrey Weeks, Maggie Goodman and Daniel Doney sported variations of red, white or blue while pup Gideon was adorned with a small American flag.
The greater Severna Park area’s population has exploded in recent years, somewhat diminishing the small-town atmosphere we were used to. But the parade is one event that tends to re-establish the community ties we still value. A dozen neighborhood floats highlighted the places and people that bind the community together. All were great but a few of our favorites are shown herein.
The Linstead on the Severn community’s cleverly constructed train honored the B&A Railroad which ran on tracks nearby, thus the sign “Next Stop Linstead”. The community won the Budding Voices $500 prize for Best Theme.
The Olde Severna Park Improvement Association won the Park Tavern/JB’s sponsored $500 prize for the Best Overall Float. It portrayed a house along the Severn River overlooking a boat with a banner advertising “Sullivan’s Cove Fishing Tours – $45, $55, $75 + gas”.
A crowd favorite was the Round Bay Station float which echoed the train theme since trains regularly brought vacationers to Round Bay from the turn of the century through World War II. There was a hotel there then. In fact, Round Bay had something of a reputation as a party town during the Prohibition era.
Speaking of parties, annual parade-watching get-togethers like the one hosted by Red Apron Shoppe owner Mary Ann Neal help friends and relatives regain that neighborhood vibe. The party was great fun as Neal (in straw hat and blue checked shirt) scurried about making sure everyone had drinks or snacks.
The partygoers had a perfect place to view the parade. They watched, chatted and voiced their approval of things they liked which ranged from Uncle Sam and beauty queens to decorated bikes and the Jing Ying Institute dragon. All agreed that entries from scout troops, organizations and businesses were quite good. They found the float created by BSA Troop 1983 and Cub Scout Pack 994 imaginative. Among other business floats, they liked those of Homestead Gardens, Park Books, Escape Salon and Maryland Decking as well as Orphan Grain Train. They considered Chesapeake Electric’s lightbulb-topped entry a particularly bright idea.
Organizations making parade appearances included Partners In Care, ACAN, the American Association of University Women, Chesapeake Harmony Chorus, and the SPCA. SPAN, Inc. collaborated with the Chartwell Young Leaders who created a float and also had a tent for food pantry donations. Churches participating with floats included Saints Church, Trinity Bible Church and Severna Park Baptist Church with its American Heritage Girls float.
This being an election year, sprinkled throughout the parade were politicians marching with their entourages or, in the case of Anne Arundel County Council member Amanda Fiedler and Maryland State Delegate Heather Bagnall a flower-filled floats. Though there were no high school bands, there was music by the three-piece Ivy League Band and by the Woods Church Praise Band.
There was so much more to see. Enjoying it all from the comfort of their strollers was the baby brigade with twin sisters Noa and Zoe McCarthy and Desmond Kessler. The twins and parents Becky and Brian McCarthy, from Denver, Colorado were visiting with Desmond’s parents Jessica and Steve Kessler from Columbia, Maryland.
Severna Park Taphouse fundraiser with Nashville recording artist Chad Bearden
A reminder for county music lovers that on July 9 from a full day of music benefitting the Baltimore Washington Medical Center Foundation is taking place at the Severna Park Taphouse at 58 W. Earleigh Heights Road. The featured artist will be Nashville-based singer/songwriter Chad Bearden. However, there will be local bands playing throughout the day. For information, visit Entertainment – Severna Park Taphouse.
