Festivities on the Fourth

The 22nd annual Villages Independence Festival on the 4th of July was as fun and lively as ever, with a parade starting at Memorial High School, continuing to Memorial Drive Baptist Church and capping off the day with a festival on church grounds. The celebration featured a petting zoo, pony rides, fishing ponds and games, plus a contest to choose the best parade float. Judges deliberated over city floats from Hilshire, Hunters Creek, Piney Point and Bunker Hill. They chose Bunker Hill’s float to win the coveted Eagle Award. Pictured in front of the Bunker Hill float are (from left) Karen Glynn, Oziel Reyna, Dena and Mayor Jay Williams; Noah, Alfredo, and Marielena Garza; Bella (sitting on the float), Bianca, and Gama Escamilla; (on the float, from left) Emma Hamilton, Kaylen Janecek, Caroline Janecek, Councilman Jay Janecek, Amanda Janecek, Virginia Southwick, Carolyn Branca, Alexis Gill and Tyler Minter.