When asked what they thought of this year’s special anniversary edition of Longboat Key’s Freedom Fest, parade-goers landed on three main descriptors: Creative, cute and fun.
The famous “World’s Shortest Parade” exuded hometown patriotic pride the morning of the Fourth of July with a robust list of activities for residents, visiting family members and tourists seeking local entertainment over the holiday weekend.
Starting at 9 a.m. along Bay Isles Road across the street from Town Hall, dogs dressed in patriotic capes and families waving miniature American flags awaited the starting cue. Then, with the melodic wail of bagpipes and flashing of fire engine lights, the procession began.
This year’s Freedom Fest was special in more ways than one. In addition to being a triumphant return to the full-fledged celebration, it coincided with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence…