With 63 different groups of marchers, Key Biscayne’s Fourth of July parade was back in full force Monday, as thousands lined Crandon Boulevard to cheer on marching bands, dancers, stilt walkers, and other colorful groups.
A pair of F-16 Vipers kicked off the 63rd annual event, as they soared over the island from south to north instead of the normal southward pass over the Village.
And there were plenty of politicians. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava walked with Key Biscayne’ mayor, Mike Davey. Annette Taddeo and Ken Russell, who are seeking the Democratic nomination for Congressional District 27, both traversed Crandon Boulevard — but Russell, a City of Miami commissioner, was the only candidate to do so riding a skateboard.
Not to be missed were Fausto Gomez, Katie Petros, and Joe Rasco, who are competing in the Aug. 23 primary for Key Biscayne mayor.
PHOTO GALLERY
Sally Brody, grand marshall of the 63rd Key Biscayne 4th of July Parade, waves to crowds along Crandon Blvd.. July 4, 2022 (KBI Photo/Tony Winton) Sofia Alzola uses a super-soaker to cool off parade watchers dur Rafael Momeñe, a parade organizer, dances with the Junkanoos, at the 63rd Key Biscayne 4th of July parade (KBI Photo/Tony Winton) Bettina Hueso is surprised when a Junkanoo dancer places a headress on her at the 63rd Key Biscayne Fourth of July parade (KBI Photo/Tony Winton) Dancers perfom at the Key Biscayne Fourth of July Parade, July 4, 2022 (KBI Photo/Tony Winton) Parade goers reach out to get beadsd from a parade float during the 63rd annual Key Biscayne Fourth of July parade, Mon. July 4, 2022. (KBI Photo/Tony Winton) Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Key Biscayne Mayor Mike Davey walk in the 63rd annual 4th of July parade, July 4, 2022 (KBI Photo/Tony Winton) Camilla Orlova, wearing headress, holds sign in support of Ukraine during 4th of July parade, July 4, 2022 (KBI Photo/Tony Winton) Fausto Gomez, right, walks in the Key Biscayne Fourth of July parade, July 4, 2022 (KBI Photo/Tony Winton) Joe Rasco, a candidate for Key Biscayne Mayor, cheers at the 63rd Key Biscayne 4th of July Parade, July 4, 2022 (KBI Photo/Tony WInton) Frances Reaves hands out American flags on Crandon Blvd as the Independence Day parade starts, Monday July 4, 2022 (KBI Photo/Tony Winton) Mac Gordon grills hot dogs at the post-parade Rotary cookout July 4, 2022. Organizers said the event was so popular they ran out of food. (KBI Photo/Tony Winton) Stilt walkers entertain the crowd at the 63rd Key Biscayne Fourth of July Parade, July 4, 2022 (KBI Photo/Tony WInton) Democratic Congressional candidate Annette Taddeo rides in the 6 Sceanti Wilson, a dancer from Baltimore, Md,, performs in the Key Biscayne Fourth of July parade, July 4, 2022 (KBI Photo/Tony Winton) Katie Petros, a candidate for Key Biscayne Mayor, waves to crowd during the Fourth of July parade, July 4. 2022 (KBI photo/Tony Winton) Dancers perfom at the Key Biscayne Fourth of July Parade, July 4, 2022 (KBI Photo/Tony Winton)
While not quite a record, the enthusiasm seemed to have fully rebounded from smaller events during the pandemic. At the Rotary Club’s post-parade cookout, grillers ran out of food and had to run to the Winn-Dixie to handle lines. “I’ve never seen it like this,” said Rotary Treasurer Bob Brookes.
Police Chief Frank Sousa said there were no significant crowd issues, except a few calls due to heat.
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Tony Winton is the editor-in-chief of the Key Biscayne Independent and president of Miami Fourth Estate, Inc. He worked previously at The Associated Press for three decades winning multiple Edward R. Murrow awards. He was president of the News Media Guild, a journalism union, for 10 years. Born in Chicago, he is a graduate of Columbia University. His interests are photography and technology, sailing, cooking, and science fiction.