Star-spangled San Carlos Park

As American as apple pie and as traditional as a Norman Rockwell painting. That is how Beth Campbell describes the Fourth of July in San Carlos Park.

"It's a real community event," she said. "It's almost like traveling back in time. You've got kids with ice cream cones, you've got watermelons and hot dogs and everyone has that patriotic feeling. It's great to see everyone come together."

Campbell, a seven-year resident of San Carlos Park, said she is so busy working and raising her kids during most of the year that she doesn't get much time to become involved in the community.

"For some reason, even more than with Christmas, the Fourth is when our family can really say we are part of the neighborhood," she said.

Every year, Campbell said her son Jackson and daughter Lisa take their flags and stand along the parade route, waving and shouting to the people on the floats. Evolving over the years from a short walk with a few floats, the parade is now a much longer procession, winding from the Sunshine Ace Hardware plaza through residential streets to pass before the judges at the Karl Drews Community Center. Floats, vehicles, bicycles and pedestrian participants will be judged in a number of categories including best classic car, best red white and blue bicycle and most patriotic float.

The 16th annual Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Parade, which starts at 8:30 a.m. at the plaza on U.S. 41, will be followed by a celebration at Three Oaks Community Park, with music, rides and food available till 1 p.m.

"It's going to be a great time this year, but with a little bit of sadness too," said Campbell. "Things are changing and the community is growing. Pretty soon it won't be 'Leave it to Beaver' land anymore, as my son puts it."

"We are expecting a good crowd this year," said Bonnie Jasper, senior recreation specialist for Lee County Parks and Recreation. "Every year there are more floats and more people along the route."

Jasper, herself a San Carlos Park resident, has been involved in hosing the parade and Independence Day celebration for the past 16 years and has watched it grow each year. Currently there are 58 parade entrants registered, and Jasper said they would be accepting new entrants up until the day of the parade.

For a more history-rich experience, the Estero Historical Society will be hosting a reading of the Declaration of Independence in the picnic area of Koreshan State Historic Site. Starting at 10 a.m., each attendee will read one sentence of the Declaration, making the event a participatory step back into the past and an interactive look at the reason for the holiday, beyond hot dogs and fireworks. Birthday cake and drinks will also be provided

Borrowing the idea for the reading from her time as vice president of the Merrick, Long Island, N.Y., historical society, Mary Ann Weenan, president of the Estero Historical Society, feels the importance of the history behind the holiday is important to reflect upon.

For the sparkle and bang to go along with the food and history, Miromar Outlets and Germain Arena will be hosting a fireworks show on the evening of July 3 at the Miromar Outlets lake. The fireworks show will start as dusk, following a performance by the Southern Extreme Water Ski Team at 7 p.m. and live music by the Mambo Brothers Blues Band beginning at 5 p.m.

"I wish the there were going to be fireworks at Three Oaks on the Fourth," said Campbell. "It's hard to pack everyone up and plan things on two different days."

She said her family would most likely forgo the Miromar show and make the trip to Bonita to watch its fireworks show after spending time at the Three Oaks Park festival.

Miromar Outlets will also be holding a sidewalk sale from July 1-4, and games for children will be hosted by the Lee County YMCA at the mall at 5 p.m. on July 3.

For more information on the 16th annual Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Parade, contact Bonnie Jasper at 267-2181. To contact the Estero Historical Society, call 498-7220.