AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi
For the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce, Anne Arundel County’s decision not to hold official 250th Anniversary events including the Severna Park Independence Day Parade on the 4th of July due to 100-degree temperatures was quite a blow. The organization quickly rallied, however, determined to postpone the parade to July 11th.
“Because the neighborhoods, organizations and businesses had worked so hard on creating floats that celebrated the nation’s 250th birthday, we wanted to go through with the parade which is also part of Severna Park’s history,” said the Chamber’s CEO Liz League.
That determination stands in contrast to other Maryland communities, including the state’s capital, Annapolis, which cancelled its parade on July 4th with no plans for another, depriving patriotic Annapolitans of the celebration Severna Park residents enjoyed on July 11th.
Though held one week later than anticipated, the parade lived up to its promise in highlighting some of our country’s finest achievements over its long history. Linstead on the Severn’s flag bedecked aircraft carrier depicting America’s strength in defending nations across the world was a good example.
“We’re so pleased we were able to relaunch the parade with only 15 dropouts unable to reschedule their participation,” League said. “It was like starting all over again, however, working the phones constantly to bring everyone back on board.”
The chamber and its many volunteers did an admirable job staging the event. Rescheduling meant crowds along Benfield and Evergreen Roads and in the center of town were a bit lighter than usual but still quite respectable. Nevertheless, from the parade’s beginning with a color guard, fire engines, and the impressive Nathan McDavitt flag to the very end, the parade rolled on as smoothly as we’ve seen it.
The appearance of the 2026 Severna Park Independence Day Parade’s Grand Marshall, Sgt. Robert Cugel, along the parade route came shortly thereafter and the decorated Vietnam Veteran was greeted with cheers and applause.
The first of the patriotic floats representing the Heroes of Severna Park Field was soon spotted with the promise of more to come. The field is dedicated to the memory of U.S. Army Private First Class Eric Matthew Kavanagh, U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Eric William Herzberg, U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal William Taylor Wild IV, and U.S. Air Force Airman First Class Nathaniel H. McDavitt.
Marchers representing many Severna Park businesses and organizations participated in the parade including students from Kogen Dojo wearing shirts designed especially for the 4th of July on the occasion of America’s 250th Birthday.
The parade continued on the roll, moving smoothly from Benfield and Evergreen roads onto Riggs Avenue and the judge’s stand at town center.
It was fun to observe things happening in the crowd around us. We were amused to see black and white spotted Chick-fil-A cow crowns being distributed and loved that Boy Scout troop leaders were handing out small American flags.
The event’s postponement meant the number of entries for Severna Park Parade’s annual Decorated Bike Contest was slightly down, but the participants were as enthused as ever, pedaling eagerly past the Sweet Shop across the B&A Trail and heading for the Judge’s Stand.
They were closely followed by staff, family and friends of Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services, the Decorated Bike Contest’s regular sponsor several years now. As always, the gang did not disappoint stepping briskly, waving American flags and warmly greeting folks they recognized in the crowd.
It’s not every day you see a “lion” executing a sharp turn onto B&A Boulevard followed by a performance of the famed Jing Ying Institute Chinese Lion Dance for parade spectators. (The lion looks like a dragon because the ancient Chinese who invented the dance had no idea what an actual lion looked like and modeled the creature after the scariest thing they could think of – a dragon.)
Moving past Severna Park Elementary School, the American Heritage Girls Troop 0152 float was packed full of, what else but “girls”. We had nothing but praise for their patriotic homemade signs.
Though seen above in the opening photo, we so appreciated the detail shown in the Round Bay float that we’ve included a side view. Reflecting on the nation’s history and their part in it, community members reached back in time to recreate the Round Bay Carnivals established in 1920. Many neighborhoods held carnivals at that time – especially waterfront communities like Round Bay and Cypress Creek. Their effort was voted Best Community Float.
As they have for many years, gals from the Chesapeake Harmony Chorus marched into the center of town performing patriotic songs while twirling their red, white and blue umbrellas.
Though we’re showing a fair representation here, there were so many floats, large and small, and marchers from businesses and organizations that participate each year that there is no way we can mention them all. (The long-standing Republican Women, MAD Soaps, SPAN, Inc., Orphan Grain Train, SPCA and Park Books come to mind.) They all deserve credit for rearranging their schedules to make the postponed Independence Day Parade honoring America’s 250th year happen.
An entrant from the Parade’s earliest days, the Severna Park Elks Lodge #2482 came through once more with their red, white and blue decorations, American Eagle and array of flags. The Bank of Glen Burnie teamed with Koch Homes and other businesses to bring this late 1920’s Ford Model A American-LaFrance Fire Truck to the event contrasting with the modern day Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company fire engines seen in the opening of the parade.
Since the theme of the 2026 Severna Park Independence Day Parade was America’s 250th Birthday, Betsy Ross deemed it important to grace the event with her presence courtesy of the Severna Forest Community Association.
Changing gears, Trinity Bible Church went tropical representing their Rainforest Falls themed Vacation Bible School taking place July 20-23 and illustrating the far reach of the American flag.
The upcoming midterm elections brought out a bevy of politicians. However, there was just the right sprinkling of vintage cars in this year’s parade including the colorful street rods seen below.
Tilting slightly as it made the turn onto Riggs Avenue, the Olde Severna Park Improvement Association float amazed spectators with its symbolism encompassing the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore with its carvings of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, the American Eagle, the Liberty Bell and, of course, the American flag. The float took the honors as the float competition’s Celebrating 250 winner.
Considering the many small fry among the spectators, it was refreshing to see Our Shepherd Preschool’s one room schoolhouse patriotically decorated float complete with a small child waving from the window.
Lest we neglect to mention another familiar presence in the parade, we enjoyed the sights and sounds of the venerable Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church’s Praise Band.
We couldn’t possibly close out this column without a nod to the Magothy River Association’s well-constructed Magothy Queen reminiscent of the days when paddle boats plied our rivers. These days the Magothy River Association is dedicated to keeping the waterway healthy.
Again, we wish to commend the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber for going beyond the call of duty to give local residents an America’s 250th Birthday parade they will remember fondly.
The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center. The school will be holding a fun-filled summer camp this August. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!
and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.
