STUART – The Semiquincentennial celebrating the 250th birthday of America was marked locally on July 4 by a number of events.
New this year was the dedication of a historical marker by the Halpatiokee Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution at Memorial Park in Stuart.
The marker, on the north side of the Martin County Courthouse, reads: “Revolutionary War Patriots. This marker commemorates the men and women who achieved American independence. Those Patriots, believing in the noble cause of liberty, fought valiantly to found a new Nation” with the dates of 1775-1783 and a notation that it was presented by the Hapatiokee Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution “in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States.”
The dedication included performances by the Treasure Coast Fife and Drum Corps, which is always seeking new members, said William Flanagan, commander.
An annual tradition, now in its fourth year, was the City of Stuart Golf Cart Parade where more than a dozen carts, decorated in red, white & blue, wended their way through streets of downtown Stuart, escorted by Police Chief Flamur Zenelovic.
The parade which lasted nearly 45 minutes got underway at the 10th Street Community Center, then headed east on Palm Beach Road to Osceola Street, and eventually back to the community center.
City of Stuart gave gift bags to first, second and third place winners.
Winners this year were Kimmie Dobson, first; Tabitha Goodman, second; and Tod Harper, third.
The eagle mask Dobson wore throughout the 3-mile trek might have helped her place first this year. “I’ve won second and third before and this time, I was determined to win first,” she said.
Later in the day, the festivities continued with a festival that opened with children’s activities at Flagler Park at 4:30 p.m. Featured at 6 p.m., was a showing of Disney’s “National Treasure.
The evening was capped off with a fireworks display at 9 p.m.