A party for the ages

LOCATION: The Tampa Tribune, USA

DATE:  March 12, 2010

 

DETAILS: ZEPHYRHILLS - Get ready to party!

The 100th annual Founders' Day festivities kick off this afternoon with a downtown carnival, fireworks display, skydivers and an old-fashioned barn dance. The weekend-long celebration has been years in the making.

While the annual parade usually draws about 5,000 spectators, city leaders expect a record number this year. Saturday morning's parade will feature 115 floats and marching bands.

The theme is "Celebration of Generations." Each decade will get its own grand marshal. Main Street Zephyrhills Executive Director Brenda Welcher had to forfeit her emcee duties due to a nagging case of laryngitis.

The day's events include hay rides, historical tours, archaeological digs and pony rides. Parking is available at all city lots, as well as First United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church.

A community picnic will be held at Zephyr Park on Sunday beginning at 11 a.m. City leaders will bury a time capsule commemorating the centennial celebration at 3:30 p.m.

"We hope all those coming from out of town notice how the community has worked very hard to get in a festival spirit," Welcher said.

A staff report