July Fourth Celebration a Grand Affair in Kismet
Volume 49, Issue 5
By David Crohn

The competition was fierce and spirits were high last Sunday as Kismetians tall and small celebrated the Fourth of July with their 41st annual Independence Day Parade.

The Bay Shore Fire Department marching band struck up the procession at 11 a.m. As bystanders cheered and waved flags, the bands — the Islip Fire Department brought up the rear — thundered the joyous sounds of “Yankee Doodle Dandy.”

Floats of every stripe made an appearance — some on wagons, some on bikes, some hoofing it the old fashioned way. The parade culminated in a gathering at the marina and a flag raising. Grace Wood, 14, sang a rousing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.

There was even a pirate ship, braving the “rough seas” of Kismet’s beleaguered sidewalks.

Although all the kids were winners, a select few were chosen as the best of the best: The above mentioned pirate ship took top honors, with the Best in Parade prize. It was helmed by Kevin Crawson, with first mates Tyler Crawson and Anthony Barbara.

The Arthur boys — Jack, Rockwell and Kyle — grabbed the prize for the Most Historical float, a reenactment of Washington crossing the Delaware River.

The Most Creative prize went to the Liotta family, who donned green wigs and painted their eyebrows white to resemble the Oompa Loompas from “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

The award winner for Most Topical payed tribute to Kismet Parade impresario Jean Wood. A foursome, all age 14, dressed up to depict different phases of her illustrious life. Julieann Green wore a pink dress to depict her as a Mrs. America contestant in the ‘60s; Jean’s granddaughter, Grace Wood, was a tennis champ; Casey Licari, in a blue jumpsuit, was a graduate of the Pratt Institute; and Taryn Phelan, all red, white and blue, played Jean the patriotic parade planner.

And finally, for Most Patriotic float, the award went to Ashley and Ryan Heiderstadt; Daniel and Justin Lewis; and Jack Manzo. Their “Liberty Balloon,” was stacked high with the patriotic plumage of red, white and blue balloons and ribbons.

Dating back to 1964, the parade is a longstanding tradition, known for the grandeur of the decorations and excitement of its participants.

Wood was honored with the best seat in the house: a spot on the Kismet Fire Department truck. Wood was honored the day before at the firehouse for 40 years of planning the parade. Her son, Sam, took over the helm this year.

There were 28 floats in all, making it the biggest ever, Sam Wood said.

“It was just tremendous this year, a huge turnout,” he said.

Another star of the show was John Coltellino, an all-American kid celebrating his seventh birthday on this historic day. He was given a four-dollar consolation prize for dressing up as Batman and battling villains on his BMX bike.

Wide eyed and mouth agape, he counted his reward.

“Am I a story maker?” he said.