Neighbors set off on a community parade celebrating Independence Day in Virginia Beach, complete with police and fire department support, before making their way to a neighborhood gathering at Lecove Park on Saturday, July 1, 2023. [John-Henry Doucette/The Princess Anne Independent News]BY JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE
KEMPSVILLE — Residents of neighborhoods near Lecove Park and the Elizabeth River, including Sherry Park, gathered on Saturday, July 1, for a community parade celebrating Independence Day.
It was the first parade – hopefully, the first of many – for an extended neighborhood, and the patriotic procession brought young and old together through the streets and ended with a gathering at the park.
“I think it was a great turnout for our first year,” said Rebecca Talley, who participated with her family and neighbors.
Daughter Rylynn Talley, 6, rode in the parade on a bike decorated with plenty of red, white and blue.
“She did it all on her own,” Rebecca Talley said.
Levi Hobbs, 1, is towed by his parents, Darren and Jordan Hobbs, in a wagon bearing patriotic decorations during a community Independence Day parade on Saturday, July 1, 2023. [John-Henry Doucette/The Princess Anne Independent News]Reegan Kurtzner organized the community parade, which came together with community support and assistance from local elected officials, as well as city police and firefighters.
“The holiday was around the corner, so we figured, let’s do a parade,” Kurtzner said.
Esprit de corps was strong for neighbors who sometimes identify as “the houses behind the McDonald’s,” noting a nearby location of the Golden Arches, she said.
“We’re all just kind of combined as one big neighborhood,” Kurtzner said.
City Councilmember Rocky Holcomb, who rode a bike during a community parade on Saturday, July 1, 2023, pauses to say hello to neighbors watching the procession. Such events, he said, show the city’s small town nature. [John-Henry Doucette/The Princess Anne Independent News]“Without a doubt, those neighborhood parades show small town America, small town Virginia Beach,” said City Councilmember Rocky Holcomb, who represents District 1 and who rode a bike during the parade. “Even though we’re spread out with 450,000 people, it’s like a small town.”
Holcomb helped sponsor the parade with state Del. Karen Greenhalgh, R-85th District. Following the post-Census redistricting process, Greenhalgh this year is seeking reelection in the new 97th House District, which does not include the neighborhood, as her current district does.
Greenhalgh, who faces Democrat Michael Feggans in the 97th District race, said she was glad to participate with the neighborhood event.
Rylynn Talley, 6, rides her bike during the neighborhood Independence Day parade on Saturday, July 1, 2023. She decorated the bicycle herself.[John-Henry Doucette/The Princess Anne Independent News]State Del. Karen Greenhalgh poses for a photo with members of the community at Lecove Park on Saturday, July 1, 2023. [John-Henry Doucette/The Princess Anne Independent News]
