They still love an 'old school' Fourth
Lutz celebrates in small-town style, as usual, with a charming parade, a new guv'na and patriotic spirit.
By JEREMY HAYES
Published July 7, 2006
LUTZ -There was no shortage of big names at this year's Fourth of July parade in Lutz.
Former Tampa Bay Bucs coach Tony Dungy brought his family. State Rep. Kevin Ambler helped judge a cake baking contest.
Politicians and celebrities, though, do not make a parade. A small-town parade is nothing without floats, which are as unusual and patriotic as they come.
A Vietnam War era helicopter's rotors were quiet as it was slowly pulled down Lutz-Lake Fern Road.
"This copter's small enough that I can take it around to schools. The kids love it," said Jim Basta, a Vietnam veteran who maintains this and four other helicopters for the Veterans Memorial Museum and Park on U.S. 301. "This one was flown in 'Nam from '70-'72."
A World War II re-enactment group, with authentic costumes, weapons and vehicles, also marched.
In a demonstration of weapons after the parade, loud cracks of gunfire caused some children to cover their ears and others to scramble to pick up spent bullet casings, juggling them because they were too hot to touch.
Several active-duty servicemen marched in the parade behind the Lutz Patriots, and probably received the loudest round of applause from onlookers.
Classic cars made a good showing, including a 1970 Mach 1 Ford Mustang and a 1929 Model A Ford.
An old bus was wrapped in a giant bow by the Lutz-Land O'Lakes Women's Club to go with the parade's theme: "Fourth of July: America's birthday."
The most famous of all the classic vehicles on parade, and a parade mainstay, was Lutz's antique fire engine.
"This parade is about expressing your freedom," said Keith Nehrboss, who owns, and has driven, the firetruck for five years.
"You couldn't do this in some other countries. Where else could you drive a truck like this in a parade?"
Belly dancers and square dancers also made their way down the route, along with Scout troops, a martial arts group twirling nun-chucks, and members of a motorcycle club.
The event's traditional denouement is the naming of the new guv'na, Lutz's mock chief of state, based on how much money the candidate can raise for charity.
The trio of candidates raised an unofficial $12,456.
Edwina Kraemer's hopeful prediction that "Edwina will be the 'winna' for guv'na" came true.
Incumbent Liz Iaconetti passed on her title, swearing Kraemer in on a copy of Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham.
Competitiors Paul Vahue and William Westcott were good sports about losing, with Westcott, dressed in a full Uncle Sam outfit, holding up both of their hands like boxers who had won a match.
Jeremy Hayes can be reached at 813 269-5302 or via e-mail at jchayes@sptimes.com.