The patriotic spirit runs deep for Marley Park residents. This year our community shared its 11th Star-Spangled Celebration together and added some new twists to this unique tradition.

Our patriotic party kicked off July 2 with the new Decorate Your Wheels Party. Thirty-four residents gathered at the Heritage Pool House to decorate their wheels of choice for our Patriotic Parade. With the help of 12 volunteers from the Young Life Club of Marley Park, the party-goers created red, white and blue masterpieces that included flags, streamers, pinwheels, bows, star glitter garland and tulle, and even some custom posters.

Traditions continued on the morning of July 4. Boy Scout Troop 194 served approximately 80 pancake breakfasts and raised $400.

And then came our Patriotic Parade. This charming parade grows bigger and better year over year, and this year’s resident-inspired tradition brought out 144 wagons, bicycles, strollers, pets and more. At 9 a.m. sharp, the Surprise Fire Department led the parade down 153rd Avenue to Pershing Street, up to the flag-lined Founders Park Boulevard and into the Heritage Pool House parking lot. Last but not least, the Surprise Police Department served as our honorary caboose. The parade was organized by Robin and Kenneth McDaniel this year under the direction of Bill Adams and the help of more than 17 volunteers.

The fun didn’t stop there. Our Pool Party was wet ‘n’ wild, attracting 200 residents and their guests—including 30 military personnel who received complimentary tickets—to a waterslide zone featuring two waterslides, a toddler waterslide, and a water tag area. Sonora Lifeguarding helped keep the fun safe. The community’s favorite disc jockey, Infinity Entertainment, rocked the party with music and games including the watermelon relay, limbo, freeze dance, hula hoop contest, musical stars and balloon toss.

As if that wasn’t enough entertainment, the MPCA Ambassadors set-up an interactive game zone featuring corn hole, volley pong, lawn chess, crochet and a super-sized connect four. (Residents: these games are available at the pool for you to enjoy; see an MPCA Ambassador for more details.) We also had a selfie station with festive props. And of course, it wouldn’t be July 4 without a picnic meal of burgers, dogs, beans, slaw, potato salad and cookies—thank you Picnic Specialties.

Special thanks to the dozens of residents who wrote thank-you letters to our Troops as well as those who created artwork to send to the men and women protecting our country overseas. Thanks also to Boy Scout Troop 194 for performing the flag ceremony, and to Dennis Grau for singing our national anthem.

Check out photos from the fun-filled events on Facebook. Please share yours with us!