51st Annual Palos Verdes Old Fashioned Independence Day Celebration
51st Annual Palos Verdes
Old Fashioned Independence Day Celebration
The sounds of Jim Sitterly’s SousaPalooza Band playing patriotic music began the start of this year’s 4th of July celebration with hundreds of kids lining up for the Children’s Patriotic Bicycle Parade on the grounds of Malaga Cove School. The morning included the annual Apple Pie Baking Contest. Jim Kinney introduced the winners of the 7th and 8th Grade and High School Essay Contest. They all received savings bonds from Malaga Bank that sponsors the essay contest each year. Nicole Powell, a graduating senior from Peninsula High School received the Bryan and Denise Hardwick Memorial Scholarship Award. The Van dine Family Americanism Award for volunteerism above and beyond was given this year to Dee Cook Keese, a native Peninsula resident, for her years of working with youth in the 4-H program. The Keynote speaker and the recipient of the Kenneth T. Norris Heritage of Freedom Award was presented by this year’s event chair Sharon Ryan to Richard Riordan, former two-time Mayor of the City of Los Angeles and former Secretary of Education. who spoke on his passion for education for every child. He turned over his honorarium to the speech contest winners who voted to give the $3000 to the Peninsula Education Foundation. Following the program families picnicked on the lawn enjoying traditional barbequed hot dogs and hamburgers by Boy Scout Troop 257 and family games. The annual event is entirely supported by community donations.
For more photos go to www.pvjuly4.org
