Shake, rattle, roll at Ramona on Fourth of July
By PAT WICK
Contributing writer
Ramona will be shakin' with a rattle and roll on the Fourth of July as t;he town celebrates Independence Day with an annual parade.
The theme this year is remembering the 50s and 60s — you do remember, don't you? If not, come to Ramona and we'll refresh your memory.
Festivities begin with Uncle Haney's BBQ available on our main street at 11 o'clock and continuing on throughout the day. There's a kite flying contest at 3 p.m. with Mayor Connie Smith at Freedom's Field.
Later in the day, the Senior Center group will be selling ice cream and the building will be open all day for access to restrooms and a cool place to sit and chat.
A sampling of crafters have been invited to participate for the afternoon. You'll find them in the Bank Building beginning at 4 o'clock.
We've started a mini-museum in Ramona which we've dubbed, "The Dirt Gambler Museum," in honor of all the farmers who have invested in the community throughout the years. You won't want to miss Gertie Schubert's 3-R's School memorabilia or the collection of old harvest photographs and memories from townsfolk, "Bringing in the Sheaves."
If you have something you'd like to add to the exhibit, call The California Sisters, 965-7110. The display is in the Bank Building and will be open on the Fourth of July from 4-8 p.m.
It's the cool of the evening we are aiming for, so registration for the town parade begins at 6 o'clock in front of the old high school building — now Tatge Manufacturing.
Registration fees are $5 for a float, $2 for single adult entries and $1 for children entering the competition.
The parade begins at 7 p.m. with the Shake, Rattle and Roll theme and will proceed down Main Street. This year, we're going by twice so you can really enjoy the show and the judges have more time to vote! Plan a float with family and friends, or conjure up a single entry and try out for these great prizes: Best Float rendition of theme: 1st $50, 2nd $30 (sponsored by Cow Camp, Inc.); Best Single Entry rendition of theme: 1st $25, 2nd $15 (sponsored by Tatge Manufacturing); Best Kids Float: 1st $15, 2nd $10 (sponsored by Cow Camp, Inc.); Kids Single Entry (12 and under): 1st $15, 2nd $10 (sponsored by Agra Producers, Inc.); Cars from the 50s and 60s will feature an Overall Favorite Award, Best Theme Award and best Oldie by Goodie who will receive Coleman Coolers on Wheels (sponsored by D.C. Trucking of Ramona), Motorcycles Best Theme Award will receive a $35 gift certificate from Cousin's Corner Bed and Breakfast in Ramona, the best Oldie but Goodie will receive a $20 gift certificate from Norma's Attic Antiques.
After the parade there will be games on Main Street for young and old like "The Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest," the "Hamburger Relay," the "Sock Hop Balloon Bust," the "Hoola Hoop Rock and Roll" and the "Flower Power Fashion Relay." All of the winning teams get prizes. Be sure and buy a ticket (for just one buck) to the children's Bike Raffle. David and Jane Staatz of Ramona have contributed two lovely bicycles again this year and proceeds of the raffle will benefit the Ramona Improvement Committee.
It's always more fun if you make some attempt to dress like we used to in the 50s and 60s. The options are wide open all the way from slicked back hair and poodle skirts to the hippie era with beads and tie-dye t-shirts. So join in the fun!
Did I tell you to bring your own chair? Do! Main Street will be in the shade in the evening, so feel free to line the street with your chairs and enjoy chatting with neighbors and friends. You may have to move your chairs a little when it gets dark because the fireworks are at Freedom Field as you enter town. The fireworks display is sponsored by Tampa State Bank
While you wait for darkness to descend, get yourself a slice of watermelon for just a quarter at the Ramona Volunteer Fire Department — it's downtown and you can't miss it.
Because of the rules and regulations about fireworks in Marion County, you must have an official permit or "fire them where you buy them," which isn't in Marion County. In the city of Ramona, the mayor has issued a proclamation, stating that fireworks are only allowed in Freedom Field where the fire department stands ready and waiting for any errant sparks. You are welcome to bring your personal fireworks down to the field. Just check in with the guys in charge and they'll show you where you can fire them. Another way to add to the town display, and save yourself the trouble of finding fireworks, is to give a contribution to the mayor who'll get even more wonderful things to shoot into the sky for everyone to enjoy.
You can see that things will be happening in Ramona on the Fourth of July.
Any questions? Call Mayor Connie Smith at 785 965-2653 — who is chairman of the event. Parade questions can come to the California Sisters at 965-2621.
