Organizers announced details on the 2024 Splash Bash Parade, which will honor senior citizens and veterans in the local nursing facilities.
This year, for the first time ever, parade organizers have routed the parade by the larger nursing homes in Starke so the residents, including veterans from foreign wars, will be able to watch the parade.
Spectators are invited to park downtown and watch the parade from under the Madison Street overpass in the shade by the Downtown Square. Viewers can also walk to Wainwright Park to watch the parade, but the parking area will be blocked off for the parade route.
During and after the parade, lemonade and snow cones will be available at Church Street next to the Downtown Square.
Also following the parade, Bradford High JROTC cadets will be collecting old, tattered flags at the Veterans Memorial and exchanging them for new American flags donated by Bryan’s Ace Hardware in Starke.
The parade begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 4, and you can get involved.
“We want the public to join us in the parade because this is our parade — the community! Let us see those patriotic golf carts and those decorated side-by-sides, for a chance to receive the Mayor’s Choice Award for most patriotic display,” said Michael Heeder, Splash Bash creator and organizer.
Horses riders are also welcome, as are motorcycles, vintage and other specialty vehicles and floats. (Off-road vehicles, lawnmowers and dirt bikes are not.) Get your application and information by contacting starkesplashbash @gmail.com or 904-290-1010. Don’t wait. There will be a mandatory meeting of all parade participants on Monday, June 24, 6 p.m. at the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office. You or a representative must be present to participate in the parade.
Parade route
Lineup for participants is on Stansbury Street next to the former Southside Elementary School. From there it will proceed north on Colley Road passing Riverwood, turning west on Laura Street. Crossing over Water Street (S.R. 100) and passing Windsor Manor, then turning north on Church Street. The parade will follow Church Street under the overpass and continue on Church Street passing Young Hearts Assisted Living (formerly Parkside Assisted Living). At Wainwright Park, it will turn right on Bridges Street and proceed south down Water Street, ending at the Downtown Square.
Splash Bash
The parade, and accompanying military flyover, will kick off the largest Splash Bash yet — a free three-day event at the Bradford County Fairgrounds with a different lineup of food, entertainment and activities each day. This includes a Food Truck Rally, low country seafood boil and a barbecue competition, a beer garden, live performances, a car show, petting zoo, water slides, a Bubble Zone, square dancing, wrestling, superhero meetups, a Nerf Battle Zone and more.
Gates open at the fairgrounds at 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, July 4 and 5, and at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 6.
