Facebook Instagram Spotify X Youtube

In pictures: Marathon rings in the USA’s 250th birthday with All-American island party

By
Alex Rickert
-

Any visitor to the Middle Keys will tell you: You’d be hard-pressed to find a better small-town Fourth of July celebration than the one right here in the Middle Keys. On America’s 250th birthday, the City of Marathon and the Marathon Rotary Club teamed up to continue an unparalleled tradition, filling Sombrero Beach Road for a morning parade before all-day festivities at Sombrero Beach and a pyrotechnic masterpiece after sundown.

“It was a fantastic day and fantastic turnout for the largest parade that anyone could remember,” said Rotary president and parade organizer Kelly Williams, whose procession drew 44 participants. “A special thanks to the community for being so supportive of us.”

  • The view of Bush Key, home to more than 100,000 nesting birds, from Garden Key at Dry Tortugas National Park. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly
  • Leandra Hutchinson and Lisa Wiebe get the big-kid seats while Lily Hutchinson, Jubilee Wiebe and Gabriella Wiebe are on candy-throwing duty. ROSS SMITH/Keys Weekly

Rotary Club Awards
Best Overall: Zonta
Most Patriotic: Coral Construction
Most Spirited: The Mead Family

Turtle Hospital Award
Best Truck/Car Float: Middle Keys Sailing Club
Best Golf Cart: BPW
Best Bike: Denise Pankow
Best Kids Bike: Judah Grostefon, Hank McKnight, Luke Cook

Alex Rickert
Alex Rickert
Alex Rickert made the perfectly natural career progression from dolphin trainer to newspaper editor in 2021 after freelancing for Keys Weekly while working full time at Dolphin Research Center. A resident of Marathon since 2015, he fell in love with the Florida Keys community by helping multiple organizations and friends rebuild in the wake of Hurricane Irma. An avid runner, actor, and spearfisherman, he spends as much of his time outside of work on or under the sea having civil disagreements with sharks.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

a black and white photo of the word snow on a black and white background

Already boasting the largest newspaper circulation in the Florida Keys, The Keys Weekly is the only locally-owned and operated publishing company in South Florida - and fastest growing!
the omg overseas media group logo

Keys Weekly’s Digital Marketing Agency: Transforming business goals into reality, one strategy at a time.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Get Keys Weekly delivered right to your inbox along with a daily dose of Keys News.

Success! Please check your email for confirmation.