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Rainy weather can't dampen patriotic spirit
By JENNIFER LIBERTO Jamie Wesolowski tempted Mother Nature, and she bit. Moments after the Oak Hill Hospital chief executive declared, "We will overcome the weather today," thunder rumbled through Weeki Watchee Springs, and dozens of festivalgoers giggled.
The rain lasted only 2 1/2 hours, and most things were dry by 5 p.m. Hundreds of undeterred Hernando County residents poured through the gates Thursday afternoon, armed with patriotic umbrellas, ponchos and hats. "I'm having such a good time. It's so nice to get out," said a damp Opal Swims of Brooksville who dragged grumpy husband Virgil Swims to the event. "Even if it is wet." Park security was tighter than usual, as volunteers searched bags, purses and strollers under the watchful eye of Hernando County sheriff's deputies, who confiscated at least one festivalgoer's handgun. The only real problem, however, lay in parking. Many complained about the long wait for shuttle busses, which transported attendees who parked in the Winn-Dixie parking lot at 31100 Cortez Blvd. The Weeki Wachee parking lot overflowed by 12:30 p.m. "It was a good idea, if the weather didn't screw things up," said Anthony Pavone of Spring Hill, who was on his way out with his father less than an hour after arriving. While soaking in line for the shuttle bus to their car, the Pavones complained about waiting in rainy long lines for the mermaid show, the boat ride and the parking shuttle bus. However, the rain couldn't spoil D.J. Brouilette's fun. He spent the week preparing for the apple pie contest by perfecting his secret recipe, which dates back to the Revolutionary War, he claimed, although he had amended it to use spices picked up on a recent trip to Granada. "I can't tell you how exciting this has all been," the Spring Hill pie connoisseur said. Earlier in the morning, the skies offered only sunshine as High Point residents drove flag-adorned golf carts to watch a short parade, which ended at the club house with a flag ceremony. Ceremony attendee state Sen. Ginny Brown-Waite said she had noticed people taking pride in reciting the pledge of allegiance during the flag ceremony, despite the recent California court ruling declaring the words "under God" unconstitutional. "I hear people raising their voices when they say, "under God,' because that's what America means," said Brown-Waite to a symphony of applause. From 8 a.m. to noon, the Spiffy Car Wash awarded free carwashes to a few hundred veterans, many wearing military hats or shirts. Owners Al and Dee Peura have offered the veteran carwash on July 4 for seven years. More than 260 veterans had taken advantage of the offer by 11 a.m. Spring Hill resident and veteran Clarence Sellers waited patiently for his sparkling white 1994 Cadillac to emerge from the cavernesque carwash. "It's nice of Al to do this," said Sellers, who lost his right leg while serving in the army infantry of World War II.
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