By Sharon Aron Baron
On March 11, the City of Parkland is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a grand celebration called Parkland Day. This event will be filled with fun activities such as a parade, a business expo, a kid zone, a car show, a concert, a food court, and many more. The headliner for the event is none other than the famous rock band Sugar Ray.
Formed in Newport Beach, CA, in 1986, Sugar Ray, led by Mark McGrath, originally played funk metal and nu-metal. In 1997, they gained mainstream success with their pop-influenced single “Fly,” which prompted them to shift their style to a more radio-friendly pop sound in subsequent releases.
Their best-selling album, 14:59, was released in 1999 and featured popular singles such as “Every Morning” and “Someday,” followed by a self-titled album in 2001 with the single “When It’s Over.”
The first known celebration of Parkland Day happened in 1967 when Betty Bell, a local artist and two-term commissioner, organized an event to showcase horses on her 2-1/2 acre property on Trotters Lane near 87th Avenue. Two years later, the event would be held by Harold Bockhold on his 10-acre property in the Ranches.
The event grew with the help of volunteer efforts, and classic games such as barrel riding, apple bobbing, egg balance, cake or pie walks, and horse contests were added.
In 1973, Bockhold, the then-mayor, acquired the land on the corner of 84th Avenue and Holmberg Road, establishing the first park for the City of Parkland, now known as the Parkland Equestrian Center at Temple Park.
For years to come, Parkland Day grew with the addition of stage performances, live music, food, and games. However, at the center of these events was the continuation of Parkland’s community efforts to keep a neighborly hometown feel a central aspect of each Parkland Day.
The city invites everyone to join the celebration on Saturday, March 11, 2023, and enjoy the planned activities. The event will start with a parade at 10:00 a.m. at Heron Heights Elementary and end at Pine Trails Park.
The parade will feature floats, marching bands, and displays of local schools, organizations, and elected officials.
Other planned activities include a business expo, kid zone, car show, concert, food court, essay contest, Portals of Parkland’s Past, and a History of Parkland exhibit. The Parkland Historical Society will be offering a glimpse of Parkland’s past with its walk-through presentation of Parkland’s history.
Interested parties can join the parade by filling out an application on the City of Parkland’s website to participate in the celebration.
Local businesses can also apply to showcase their products and services at the business expo and food court. Those who want to showcase their classic cars or new exotics can participate in the car show.
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