Monte Nido Was "Bee Crazy" This Fourth of July!
What a day it was in Monte Nido for our annual Fourth of July parade and picnic! The air buzzed with excitement (and maybe a few real bees, thanks to our "Bee Crazy" theme!) as the community came together for a truly unforgettable celebration. The festivities kicked off with our much-anticipated parade, proudly led by the brave First Responders of Firehouse 67.
It was a heartwarming sight to see our beloved Grand Marshalls Sally and Josh Livingston waving from atop that classic, old-fashioned fire truck. The parade itself was a dazzling display of patriotic spirit, with an incredible array of floats. The creativity was truly astounding! A special shout-out (and a good chuckle) goes to the "Buzzed!" float, which snagged the award for Most Humorous Float. Those little Buzz Lightyears were an absolutely brilliant touch! The Desilva Family and friends took home first place overall for their entry, “Float Like a Butterfly Sting Like a Bee!” And in the walking category, we had to tip our hats to the clever and very Shakespearean entry, "To BEE or Not to BEE," which rightfully took home first place.
After the parade, Parade Chair-people Gary and Beth Bardovi warmly welcomed everyone to the picnic, and the good times just kept rolling. We were treated to a truly beautiful rendition of the National Anthem, sung by Mom, Lauren Buckman, and her twin daughters Brooklyn and Charlie. Their voices were simply angelic!
Of course, no picnic is complete without delicious food. The mouth-watering burgers from Tripp Burgers really hit the spot. Ily Bakery did not disappoint with their fabulous baked goods. Those sweet potato and molasses brownies were an absolute hit – seriously, if you didn't try one, you missed out! The atmosphere was made even more festive by the sounds of local legends, The Blue Dolphins, who have been gracing our area with their tunes for over 25 years. They delivered a fantastic mix of covers and even treated us to some of their own original songs, keeping everyone grooving.
Our energetic MC, Tod Stobie, kept the games lively. The balloon toss and egg toss were, as always, a smashing (and just slightly messy) success, bringing out the competitive spirit and lots of laughter. And finally, the moment everyone was waiting for: Picnic Chairpeople Candace Johnston and Tony Vassiliadis announced the lucky raffle winners! A huge congratulations to those who took home an amazing array of prizes, from thrilling surf lessons to delectable sweet treats and even some gorgeous silver jewelry.
It took a great hive to pull off such an un-BEE-lievable event. A more detailed thank you to all involved will follow.
Believe it or not, Monte Nido has been holding this parade and picnic for over 60 years! Events like these don't just happen; they're the result of dedicated volunteers and the generous support of our community. If you loved the Monte Nido July 4th celebration and want to help keep these fabulous traditions going strong, we invite you to get involved and join the Monte Nido Valley Community Association (MNVCA)! Your time and talent can make a real difference. Not ready to volunteer? Consider making a donation to the MNVCA. Every contribution helps us continue to create unforgettable community events for all to enjoy. Let's keep the Monte Nido magic alive!
