Jacksonville residents had great weather for their annual Independence Day celebrations. The Bike and Pet parade attracted a large number of two- and four-footed entrants, and families had picnics, tossed balls and played Frisbee until the fireworks began at dusk.

“We had a very generous crowd this year,” said Dennis Lane, a member of the Greater Jacksonville Optimist Club, which sponsors the annual events. “The whole thing is fun for families.”

The parade’s big winner was the duo of Summerlynd Nelson and Ellis Addelman, who both rode Giddyup ’N’ Go horses around the Manor Shopping Center parking lot.

Winning patriotic costume awards were Lily Knudsen, first place; Emmett delaCruz, second place, and Claire Bachman, third place.

Patriotic vehicle winners were Riley McWilliams, Ford delaCruz and Kenneth Hesseltine.

Patriotic pet awards went to canines Kelly and Kody, owned by Steve and Diane Reid; Sam, a rabbit owned by Kaila Warfield and Victoria Kolego, and Gabby, a dog owned by Erin and Lisa McWilliams.

The patriotic group prizes went to Eric, Danielle and Celine Schmidt, and Liz and Patrick Townshend; Logan, Emmalee, Jen and Scott Corbin, and James, Kevin, Megan and Kristen McCormick.

Judges were Joan Worrall, Kipi Sutphen and Theresa Price.

Steve Klecka, of Phoenix, won $500 in the golf ball drop, and Charles Askine, of Baldwin, bought the winning raffle ticket and won $500.

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