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Temple Terrace celebrates blast of a 4th

Photo by Russell McCarter

The King High School Marching Lionettes lead the way in the 2008 parade.

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By JOYCE McKENZIE

jmckenzie@tampatrib.com

Published: July 5, 2009

TEMPLE TERRACE - The Fourth of July is a day set aside to honor our nation's independence. It's also a time when Americans pause to celebrate their freedom and display allegiance to their country.

In Temple Terrace it's an occasion for friends, neighbors and families to gather by day for the city's annual parade and by night for its fireworks show.

This year, however, the events were courtesy of its residents and business owners, rather than through the city's coffers. Because of budget cuts, the $20,000 generally earmarked for the festivities was unavailable.

As a result, the Temple Terrace chamber spearheaded a campaign that collected close to $18,000 in contributions, money specifically tagged to pay for the town's Fourth of July festivities.

The city will continue to provide police and fire department personnel.

"I am so thankful to live in a community where traditions are kept alive by so many generous donors. Thank you to every one who made the effort to participate in our Light Up the Sky campaign," said chamber director Cheri Donohue.

Parade chairwoman Kathie Miley, branch manager of Bank Atlantic in Temple Terrace, loves the small-town feel.

"I grew up here in Temple Terrace, and I always remember enjoying it," Miley said. "Now I have children ages 7 and 10 and I want them to grow up to remember about the Fourth of July in Temple Terrace."

Miley credits Donohue with having the "brainpower" to successfully pull off the event.

For that reason and because of Donohue's hard work and commitment to the community, Miley and her committee members - Tom Allison, Laura Blackwell, Jennifer Caskey, Laura Hollis, George Bustamante and Russ Oberbroeckling - chose the soon-to-retire chamber leader as the parade's grand marshal.

"I was flattered to be asked to be the grand marshal. I'm sure the committee felt like I should be recognized for my work with the chamber and that this might be my last parade," Donohue said. "But I hope to participate in future years in some other capacity. Maybe I'll put my grandkids in a flower-covered wagon with the Temple Terrace Garden Club."

The two-hour parade began at 10 a.m. At 8 p.m. the Florida Wind Band and the Tampa Bay Children's Chorus performed a free concert at the Temple Terrace Country Club's first tee. The performance featured a medley of John Phillip Sousa marches, patriotic favorites and a rendition of the "1812 Overture" and "Stars & Stripes Forever."

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 731-8026.

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