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Some years ago Jack Mallory dressed up as Thomas Jefferson on the Fourth of July and quoted from the Declaration of Independence. That was for a play at Montalvo.
But last year, he took his patriotism one step further when he organized an Independence Day observance at Azule Park, next to Blue Hills Elementary School. Approximately 250 people showed up.
Mallory is organizing an Independence Day observance again at Azule Park this year with the help of friends and neighbors. He hopes that more people will show up this year.
"We do this because there is no other July 4 event in Saratoga. Some of the other cities focus on fairs, festivals and other fun events and not the patriotic side of the day," said Mallory. He said he wanted children and their parents to participate and feel proud to be American.
Sharon Nunnenkamp is helping with the observance by providing gifts for children. "We will give out prizes for the best dressed and the most patriotically dressed people who show up," said Nunnenkamp.
T-shirts and pencil sharpeners are among the gifts being given out.
Mallory has also planned a little parade led by Mayor Ann Waltonsmith on a donkey cart. Boy Scout Troop 566 and Girl Scout Troop 1030 will present the flag at the ceremony.
Renata Carico is part of a group called the Pro American Spirit. "We are going to decorate the park with flags and present miniature flags to all the children who show up," said Carico.
Ice cream will be given to the children who attend the ceremony.
Mallory said that the event is just one hour long so that people can return to their homes to barbecue or go to fairs and festivals.
"This event is for those people who want to stop and remember and participate. We join in saying the Pledge of Allegiance, the ringing of the freedom bell, singing patriotic songs, and joining in the spirit of a patriotic parade with children, pets and bikes decorated in red, white and blue," said Mallory.
Nunnenkamp said that she felt really nice when she saw people walking away from the function last year. "It really was a neighborhood event. They were walking home," she said.
The event is between 1 and 2 p.m. at Saratoga's Azule Park on July 4. For more information, contact John Mallory at 408.252.7447 or Mallory58@aol.com.
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