The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

All about the Red, White & Lutz

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The floats were patriotic and as hot as the sun.

Nearly 50 entries, along with hundreds of Lutz residents and locals, made their way up Lutz Lake Fern Road for the annual Lutz Independence Day Parade. The much-anticipated event — held on the sweltering morning of the Fourth of July — brought together the best of the unincorporated community of more than 28,000 to celebrate the country’s birthday.

Parade-goers out at the grandstand, near the library, jump and cheer as beads and trinkets are tossed from floats. (Mike Camunas)

The parade route, which stretched more than a mile, started near the Oscar Cooler Sports Complex and finished in front of the Lutz Branch Library and historic Lutz Train Depot.

Local organizers also held a 5K and Mile Fun Run in the early morning, a cake-decorating contest and, after the parade, announced the winner of this year’s Lutz Guv’na campaign.

Annabelle Depolis, a young local singer, belted out the National Anthem to kick off the parade, which was led by grand marshal 2022 Guv’na Atlas Cortecero.

Katelyn Easterwood, and Missy, walk along First Ave. N.W., on the tail end of the annual Lutz Independence Day Parade on a sweltering Fourth of July morning.

Hundreds lined the street as floats from the likes of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, Boy and Girl Scout troops, North Tampa-Lutz Civil Air Patrol Squadron, Lutz Chiefs Cheer Squad, and local politicians, leaders and businesses owners all tossed out patriotic beads and other trinkets.

Other floats included Lutz All Star Baseball, Lutz Scoops passing out ice cream, the Tampa Rough Riders, Hillsborough County Commissioner Pat Hagen, Learning Gate Community School and the Rotary Club of Land O’ Lakes.

In the 5K, the top Lutz finisher was 17-year-old Ethan Russ (16:52), who finished in sixth place, barely edging out 17-year-old Dylan Powell, of Land O’ Lakes (16:55).

All three Lutz Guv’na candidates also had entries in the parade, with eventual Guv’na winner Jerome Smalls bringing his company, SoccerGemz, and several athletes to walk in the parade.

It’s an event he looks forward to every year.

“The turnout, every year, is always amazing,” Smalls said. “It is one of the best parades, really, in the area. We learned to not  throw all beads and goodies away so fast, because you then still have a mile to go!

“(The parade is) always phenomenal, and we love being a part of it and coming out to see it every year, no matter how hot it is, and it’s always hot!”

Lutz Independence Parade Trophy Winners
Best Vehicle: Charley Musselman
Bicycle Entry: West Coast Elite
Commercial Entry: Pinch-A-Penny
Largest Turnout Participation: Lutz Chiefs Cheer
Most Patriotic: Boy Scout Pack 37
Themed Entry (RED, WHITE & Lutz): Lutz Volunteer Fire Department
Walking Unit: Civil Air Patrol
Youth Entry: Learning Gate Community School
Judge’s Favorite: The Barn at Stark Farms
Grand Marshal’s Choice: First Baptist of Lutz

Published July 12, 2023

Ten-year-old Sophia Joiner was one of hundreds of Lutz residents and locals that attended the annual Lutz Independence Day Parade on the morning of the Fourth of July.
The very vocal Lutz Chiefs Cheer squad filled their float to capacity and encouraged the crowd of hundreds to cheer along with them near the Lutz Branch Library, during the annual Lutz Independence Day Parade.
The annual Lutz Independence Day Parade and its nearly 50 floats and entries came up Lutz Lake Fern Road toward U.S. 41 and finished in front of Lutz Branch Library and the historic Lutz Train Depot. Hundreds along the parade route clamored for beads and trinkets being tossed from the floats.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club wave from their float during the annual parade.
Justin Gaertner, a veteran who lives in Lutz, holds his son, Landry, during the annual Lutz Independence Day Parade.
Members of Cub Scout Pack 339, based out of First Baptist of Lutz, wave to the crowd in front of Lutz Branch Library.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four-year-old Lutz resident Charlotte Sherwood enjoys a freezer pop while being pulled in a wagon in the annual Lutz Independence Day Parade on Lutz Lake Fern Road.
From back to front: Hayes White, Brantley White and Cayson Schmidt wait eagerly for floats in the annual Lutz Independence Day Parade to come toward them down Lutz Lake Fern Road.
Old Suzie, the first fire engine of the Lutz Volunteer Fire Department and privately owned by Dr. Earl Smith, makes its way down Lutz Lake Fern Road during the parade.