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Lutz community celebrates 4th

Staff photo by KELVIN MA

C.J. Richwine, 5, of Lutz, cheers for beads at the 2008 Lutz Independence Day Parade.

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By JESSICA BALANZA

jbalanza@tampatrib.com

Published: July 1, 2009

Updated: 07/04/2009 02:17 pm

LUTZ - Organizers are amped to host the area's annual Fourth of July parade.

The celebration has taken place off and on for about 50 years, and this year is packed with activities for people to enjoy throughout the day at Bullard Park, on Lutz-Lake Fern Road, off U.S. 41.

"It's going to be great," said Phyllis Hoedt, chairwoman for the event, which drew in a crowd of about 6,000 last year. "We are just a small town celebrating the Fourth of July and trying to keep the hometown feeling."

And this year's parade promises to offer the usual lineup of floats and other participants.

But that's not all. During the day people can expect to find out who is the winner of the Lutz Guv'na race. Candidates Shael Morgan, Suzin Carr, Kay Taylor and Michelle Mitchell have been attempting to raise money for votes. Following the parade, the "votes" will be tallied, and whoever raised the most receives the honorary title. Proceeds benefit nonprofit groups and organizations.

Throughout the day children will have the chance to enjoy face paintings, pony rides, crafts, games and moon walks. Adults will be able to check out food booths, a cake auction, displays from nonprofit organizations and demonstrations from U.S. Department of Homeland Security canines.

FOURTH EVENTS

8 a.m.: 5-kilometer race begins.

8:30 a.m.: Flag ceremony with the Civil Air Patrol and Boy Scout Troop 12 officiating. The ceremony will be followed by welcome speeches by Lutz Civic Association president Steve Polzin and Lutz-Land O' Lakes Woman's Club president Marilyn Wannamaker.

10 a.m.: Parade begins at Crooked Lane and Lutz-Lake Fern Road. Parade float winner will be announced after the parade, as will the Lutz Guv'na. The cake bake follows the installation.

11 a.m.: Lutz Volunteer Fire Department hosts barbecue chicken dinner at the Lutz Community Center, 101 First Ave N.W.

PAST GUV'NA WINNERS

Jo Van Bebber, 1991

Betty Neeley, 1992

Leslie "Pete" Dennison, 1993

Lorraine Dabney, 1994

Kay Dahman, 1995

Ben Nevel, 1996

Earl Smith, 1997

Sandy Ruberg, 1998

Danny Neeley, 1999

Vince Arcuri, 2000

Helen Kinyon, 2001

Brett Montegny, 2002

Joni Cagle, 2003

Dean Rivett, 2004

Liz Iaconetti, 2005

Edwina Kraemer, 2006

Michele Northrup, 2007

Terri Burgess, 2008

Community producer Jessica Balanza can be reached at (727) 451-2342.

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