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Local Youngsters Flaunt Their Patriotism

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By CHERYL KUCK

Tribune correspondent

Published: March 18, 2009

PLANT CITY - More than 50 organizations took to the streets Feb. 28 during the Plant City Civitan Club's annual Youth Parade.

Marching bands, floats and other entries marched from the State Farmers Market past the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds in the 36th annual parade.

The theme was Hometown USA and many of the floats featured patriotic red, white and blue.

The parade was led by the Durant High School honor guard, including 15-year-old Joe Mejia, who carried the American flag, flanked by 17-year-old Nina Feliciano and 16-year-old Amanda Makrides.

They led the parade past a group of judges outside South Florida Baptist Hospital. The judges selected the top parade entrants in four categories, best band, best marching unit, best church float and best club or group float.

Parade marshals were Dustin Hinson of Plant City High School and Angel Chavez of Durant High.

The parade is limited to youths, with the exception of adult chaperones.

Hundreds lined the streets to watch the parade and cheer for their favorite groups and floats.

The parade was organized under the direction of Pat Pogue of the Civitan Club. All units were judged on general appearance, originality in display and theme.

Here's a list of the winners in each category and the prizes:

Best Band Entry:

First place: Eastside Elementary Soaring Eagles Band, trophy and rosette

Second place: Pierce Middle School Marching Band, rosette

Third place: Burns Middle School Band, rosette

Best Marching Unit:

First place: Hillsborough County Twirlettes, trophy and rosette

Second place: Patrick Patriots Marching Unit, rosette

Third place: Let's Twirl, rosette

Best Church Float:

First place: Shiloh Baptist Church, $100, trophy and rosette

Second place: Evangelical Presbyterian Church and Learning Center, rosette

Third place: First Baptist Church of Dover, rosette

Best Club/Group Float:

First place: J.S. Robinson Elementary School, $100, trophy and rosette

Second place: Bryan Elementary School Parent Teacher Student Association, rosette

Third place: Cork Elementary School, rosette

Cheryl Kuck can be reached at wkuck@tampabay.rr.com.

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