BY MICHAEL HEEDER
Starke Splash Bash
Starke Splash Bash is honored to announce the Grand Marshal for this year’s Splash Bash Parade:
American Legion Post 56 Commander Norman Dowdy.
Dowdy, who served in the U.S. Army, retired out and enjoys his time with the American Legion Post 56 in Starke. When he is not tending to Post duties and activities, Dowdy enjoys hunting and fishing.
This year’s parade, hosted by the city of Starke, will take a route passing by each larger nursing home in Starke so that seniors and veterans can make their way outside to watch the parade. The parade will begin on Colley Road at the former Southside Elementary School and pass by Riverwood Health and Rehab, then turn on Laura Street, passing Windsor Manor Nursing Center. The parade will continue on Church Street under the overpass, passing by Young Hearts (formerly Parkside Assisted Living) and Wainwright Park before ending at the Downtown Square by the Veteran’s Memorial.
Everyone is invited to watch the parade along the route that takes it under the State Road 100 overpass so residents can watch the parade in the shade. The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office is handling the traffic assignment, and Sheriff Gordon Smith, alongside Lawtey Police Chief Jerry Feltner, will lead the third annual parade through downtown Starke.
Everyone who has an old, tattered American flag looking to properly retire it can bring it with them to the parade, as the Bradford High School JROTC will be hosting a flag exchange at the Memorial after the parade, where a brand new flag will be given to everyone who turns in an old flag, compliments of Bryan’s Ace Hardware in Starke.
The parade steps off at 9 a.m. with a military flyover of vintage World War II aircraft like last year. Applications for the parade are still being accepted and anyone who wishes to participate can call 904-290-1010 to register.
