Pat Thoresen and Judy Hale
Thursday, July 4, Quail Creek is celebrating the 237th anniversary of American Independence with family friendly festivities including a parade, patriotic music and all American food. All five branches of the United States Military, the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marines, will be recognized through the 2013 theme: Hats Off to Our Heroes. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Military Officers of America Association, MOAA.
Opening ceremonies begin at 8:15 a.m. with Master of Ceremonies Steve Signore kicking off the celebration with a flag raising ceremony, the presentation of the Grand Marshall Honoree Retired Colonel Peggy McGee, president of The Women’s Club of Quail Creek. Honorees for this year’s Fourth of July celebration are Quail Creek veterans who served during the Vietnam era. The Grand Marshall and Vietnam Honorees will lead the parade in convertibles driven by Quail Creek convertible owner volunteers.
The parade follows the opening ceremonies with all the colorful entrants reporting for registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. in the Madera Clubhouse parking lot. Entries can include decorated golf carts, trucks, antique and cool cars, motorcycles and bicycles. Individual entries, groups of friends, clubs, businesses and unit entries are all encouraged to add to this fun parade. Parade judges will award prizes from local businesses based on the following six categories: best decorated vehicles, first through fourth place, best red, white and blue attired canine vehicle rider and the Grand Marshall’s prize for best interpretation of the theme Hats Off to Our Heroes.
The entry fee is $5.00 at the Concierge Desk payable between May 27 and July 1. Entry forms can also be printed out using the link on What’s Happening announcements and turned into the Concierge with the entry fee. The first 20 entrants will receive a free bottle of wine.
This year a dunk tank has been added to the festivities in front of the Madera Clubhouse. Between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. for just $5.00 for three throws, you may see volunteers like POA President Gil Lusk, Head Golf Pro Joel Jaress and Mike Taylor, manager of the Grille, go for a swim. Additional outdoor activities will be held on the greens and, starting at just $1.00, contestants can participate in the putting and pitching contests and children and grandchildren of Quail Creek residents can pitch horseshoes. Indoors, kids can play bean bag toss, ring toss and participate in a cookie walk in the Madera Clubhouse.
Attendees may also purchase 50-50 raffle tickets starting at $1.00 a ticket, $5.00 for six tickets, and the multiplier will go up on opportunities to win as the donation increases. Fifty percent of the proceeds go to MOAA and one lucky raffle winner will take home half of the cash collected. The Food and Beverage Committee will sponsor a raffle table of food and wine baskets with all proceeds going to MOAA. In addition, the Activities Committee is sponsoring the collection of monetary donations, personal care, baby items, and nonperishable food items for the MOAA. The Food for Families MOAA program supports local military families who have deployed military members. Collection boxes will be available at the Madera Clubhouse and and the Anza Athletic Club.
The Coffee Bar will open at 6:30 a.m. followed by a cash bar later in the morning. A traditional Fourth of July lunch buffet begins at 11:30 a.m. and will be served at the Madera Clubhouse and emcee Steve Signore will award prizes. Fourth of July birthday cake will be served during a special veterans’ slide show accompanied by patriotic music.
The day ends with one of Quail Creek’s favorite events, bingo, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Madera Clubhouse. Guests of residents are welcome to participate.
This event is sponsored by the Quail Creek POA Activities Committee. Contact Pat Thoresen, chairman, at 520-207-0372 or email [email protected] for additional information or to volunteer.