text and photos by Bradlee

 

 

The 52nd Kismet 4th of July Parade, dedicated to Joyce Cole, and led by the Kismet Fire Department Color Guard, kicked off Sunday at 11 a.m. 

 

There were elaborately created "wagon floats",  babies in carriages and in arms, at least one dog on a leash, and a very friendly

 

The Bay Shore and West Islip Fire Department bands gave out their best toe-tapping, foot-stomping parade music.  The parade wound its way through the Kismet Streets down Burma to West Lighthouse to Maple to Pine to the Bay.

 

 

Following the parade, the Marine Guard, including Grady O'Halloran, raised the flag.  Saoirse Ryan sang a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. 

 

As always, prizes were awarded to floats in various categories:

 

 

 and patriotic T-Rex. 

 

 Star Wars, 40th Anniversary, with Kai Sitone as am X-Wing fighter and Lyden Cole as a Ty Fighter won the prize for Most Topical float;

 

 

 

Old Man in the Sea with Mary Grahn won the prize for most Historical float;

 

Bottles for the Brave - Jean Wood Founders Award - Best in Parade

 

 Finding Kismet with Malie, Ava, Rett and Jack as the Fisherman won for Most Creative. 

 

Baby Liberty: Leighton, Gavin and Mia

 

The Artie Schiller Most Patriotic award went to Baby Liberty with Leighton, Gavin and Mia while the Jean Wood Best in Parade award went to Bottles for the Brave with Grace, Paxton, Lilly, Dominick, Elizabeth, Maddie and Abby.. 

 

Members of Kismet Fire Department put on a grand barbeque serving what looked like hundreds of hungry customers.

 

 

Scads of Raffle tickets were sold:  Karen Wahlberg won the 50/50,

 

 

 

Janet Mennella won the Wagon of Cheer and Gene McGovern won the KLAW bicycle.