BY MAGGIE BEAMGUARD, Insider Editor
It is soon time to don your red, white and blue and join in celebrating the birth of American independence. Seven Lakes communities are planning a variety of activities for the Fourth of July weekend.
This year the holiday falls on a Monday. The northside is still firming up plans, according to recreation director Marijola Farley.
As of this printing, the festivities will begin with a boat parade on July 3. Boating participants are invited to deck out their vessels with patriotic colors. They will line up at the island at 9:15 a.m. and start the float around 9:30 a.m.
Children’s games will be offered at Lake Sequoia beginning at 7:30 p.m. They will be followed by the first-ever community Light Show at 9 p.m. “We would love to have you join us on this special day to help us celebrate,” Farley said.
The Northside golf cart parade will be held on the morning of July 4 with light refreshments offered at the end of the parade. Residents are welcome to line up along the parade route. Flags will be handed out at the beginning of the route at the Northside mailhouse. The route will then run all the way around Firetree back to the clubhouse. “The best place to watch would be along Firetree,” said Farley.
Farley expects a few more activities may be added. Residents can keep up to date on the celebrations through community e-blasts and the monitors in the north and south mail houses.
Across the railroad tracks in Seven Lakes West, fireworks are planned for after dark around 9:30 p.m Saturday, July 2. The same vendor from the past several years will put on the show from Pine Island. The best places to view the fireworks are from the water, the dam, and Johnson Point. “All of the members enjoy the fireworks,” SLW Board President Pat Zlotin says. “But of course some animals, particularly dogs, are frightened. The members certainly look forward to it.”
One of the Seven Lakes West summer concerts will be held at Johnson Point prior to the fireworks display. The concert, featuring Erik Hawks and Hard Luck, is scheduled on July 2 from 5-8 p.m. This is a little earlier than the other concerts so that people have time to get where they want to be before the fireworks start, according to SLW Events Committee Chair Shannon Stites.
The Seven Lakes Sailing Club will host its annual boat parade on July 4. Boaters will meet at the dam at 11 a.m. Patriotically adorned boats will slowly cruise around the perimeter of the lake in a clockwise direction. Parade coordinator Stan Makson notes that the direction of the route alternates every year. Observers can wave at the boaters from anywhere on the lakefront including the dam and Johnson Point. Participants should be mindful of boating safety guidelines.
Contact Maggie Beamguard at (910) 693-2496 or maggie@thepilot.com.
