AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
July 4th found Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce CEO Liz League alone at her desk in her office at One Holly Avenue with the chamber cat for company.
It was a far cry from 2019 when she and operations manager Petra Roche arrived early at the parade launch sites at St. Martin’s-in-the-Field and Our Shepherd Lutheran Churches on Benfield Road. The pair bounded between firetrucks, floats, vintage cars, bands and scout troops as entrants prepared to “step off” at 10 am. Thousands of people lined the parade route along Benfield and Evergreen Roads and on both sides of Riggs Avenue where it spilled into the center of town before turning onto Baltimore and Annapolis Boulevard, then veering left onto Cypress Creek Road.
For the first time since July 4, 1974 when the parade was started by the late Hammond S. Carr and realtor Lou Heck, it was cancelled due to Corona virus restrictions. Disappointment was felt by multiple generations of families who’ve attended over the years as the parade grew, changed, and drew large crowds from an ever expanding geographical area.
There have been quite a few amazing entries including several of “chicken wire genius” Lou Heck’s floats – the most memorable of which was “On Eagle’s Wings”, his nod to our country’s Native American heritage with an enormous eagle spreading his wings over a tribal chief in full headdress and an Indian princess paddling a canoe.
Seeing a stage coach crest the hill at Riggs Avenue in 2009 was quite awe inspiring. Photos by Sharon Lee Tegler
………and the sight of the Severna Park Republican Women’s Club’s tribute to notable American women in 2011 brought cheers, applause and numerous salutes.
Local bands, large and small were seen too. This grouping created by jazz show host John Tegler was themed George Washington was a Jazz Fan. After all, George did dig Mozart.
Vintage cars are always part of the mix.
The Ford Model A , the 1959 Buick Electra Coupe and the 1956 Chevrolet Belair seen here are but three examples.
Of course, neighborhood floats like this one from the community of Linstead tend to be the most popular entries of all.
There’s been little time for League to consider past successes or to dwell on the cancellation of the July 4th parade. The chamber office has remained busy throughout the pandemic. She and Roche conducted many virtual meetings and webinars and helped local businesses with legal issues, SBA loans. and reopening procedures. They even tangled with the Department of Labor to get Franklin Toys reclassified as an essential business since both the Severna Park and Annapolis branches of the store provide materials for teachers.
“The chamber is now officially reopened with permission for six socially distanced people at a time to be present for meetings,” League said. “Three companies that do essential CPR training have been holding their classes in our GSPAC meeting room as well. They are having trainees come in one at a time to practice CPR on individual mannequins.”
A lot of work and consideration is being given to plans for several upcoming events. League notes that the event GSPAC members and the general public are most excited about is the Severna Park Parade scheduled for September 7 which is Labor Day. She said everyone is very positive about it. She’s already received numerous parade applications including many from last year’s participants.
Though planning for those events is very much underway, Roche took a temporary furlough leaving League in the office on her own.
She’s pleased that things are generally falling into place.
Among the events in organizational stages are the chamber’s annual golf tournament on September 14 at Chartwell Golf and Country Club followed by autumn-themed “Shoptoberfest” at Park Plaza. Held for the first time last October as a Shop Local event, the celebration was highly successful with lots of children (and parents) wearing Halloween costumes.
Many companies like Servepro and organizations like SPAN, Inc. participated in “Shoptoberfest”.
Some of those same businesses will be on hand for November’s “Taste & Sip” celebration featuring the area’s finest eateries.
The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber will round 2020 out with the annual tree lighting and Holiday Open House hosted by the Taste of Severna Park Toastmasters at One Holly Avenue.
Lots of things to look forward to from the chamber for greater Severna Park area residents as Americans return to reality. For information on chamber events, visit https://www.gspacc.com/ or follow them on Facebook.
