Fourth of July at San Gabriel Park!

It seems that the July 4th holiday is one that will engage me in lots of work for years to come.   During my years in Atlanta, I was closely involved with the Atlanta Journal & Constitution coverage of the Peachtree Road Race, still (I think) the world’s largest 10K road race.   Returning home to Texas, my 4th holiday switches gears to the quite wonderful celebration sponsored by the Sertoma Club in Georgetown.   This year marked the 30th year the club has brought the festivities to San Gabriel Park.   One thing really neat is their Hometown Parade, complete with down-home floats, rides and costumes created by kids, sometimes with a little help from moms and dads.   2-year-old Chase Anderson of Jarrell, wearing his cowboy hat and sitting on Bevo (the University of Texas mascot), was quite stressed at the start, but quickly got into the parade’s rhythm!  3-year-old Tye Glasscock of Georgetown had a well-decked float that won second place in best decoration.  J.C. Hicks was a convincing replica of George Washington.   And you can’t have a parade without royalty, right?   Taylor Dieringer, Miss Georgetown 2013, filled the bill there.  5-year-old Maddie Padilla was quick to salute while “God Bless America” was sung.  Isabel Sprabary and Tyler Esquivel, both 7, appreciated the cooling water mister as the day heated up.   At 9:30p.m. the skies were alive with fireworks to top off a nice, long day.   These photos were taken for the Williamson County Sun in the tradition of wonderful community journalism.    The Peachtree Road Race speaks to community, but small-town happenings like Georgetown’s are no less relevant.