Patriots and their carts. Photo by Steve Simpson
Dianne Edmondson
It truly was a picture-perfect July 4 at Robson Ranch. The Parade Committee, Steve and Rose DePoe and Debra and Gary Nogueva, had worked long and hard to put together more than 500 parade entries, which stretched for as far as the eye could see early that Independence Day morning, assisted on that morning by Mike Sabato. Naturally, red, white, and blue was everywhere—from dozens of American flags lining Ed Robson Blvd. (courtesy of the Support Our Troops group) to the hundreds of streamers and buntings decorating patriots’ homes in the Ranch, to the myriad of golf carts fully draped with all things American. The 1.5-mile-long parade was by far the longest in the history of the Ranch’s celebrations, and plans are now being discussed to lengthen it for next year so that even more residents can enjoy.
The bright, sunny morning began with a haunting double trumpet rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” by Tim Nunn and Larry McCarley, which was accompanied by much of the crowd singing the familiar words. Then, piloted by Ranch residents, came the flyover of a helicopter (Mike Montefusco) and a fixed-wing aircraft with smoke (Joel Jeppson).
Then, with sirens blaring and lights flashing, the fire trucks and police cars from neighboring stations led off the cars and golf carts, intermingled with floats. Grand Marshalls Sally Baggott and Valerie Tarren were perched gracefully on the back of a convertible. Following them near the front were other convertibles bearing VIPs, including General Manager Rhett Hubbard, State Representative Lynn Stucky, and County Commissioner Dianne Edmondson. Denton Mayor Gerard Hudspeth sat on one of the floats and declared that the Robson parade was the biggest and best one he’d seen! The colors were proudly carried by the American Heritage Girls Allegiant Honor Guard.
Golf carts were interspersed with floats, including the “United We Stand” eagle from the West Wing group on the western side of the community, the always-happy Sigma Chi brothers, the Robson Ranch Republican Club, the Robson Ranch Gun Club, and many others. The Democrats were also represented, as well as nearly every hobby and interest at the Ranch: the Lady Niners, the gamers, the Motorcycle Club, the tennis buffs, the pickleballers, the Pilot Knob Rotary, etc. Even Fellowship At The Ranch Church paraded their carts with smiles and waves. Several horses also pranced in the parade.
Scrappy, the UNT Eagle Mascot, and the UNT cheer team were a lively part of the parade, along with the Argyle Young Men’s Service League members. These young men carried handmade signs, each honoring a veteran who is commemorated in the brick garden at Robson’s Veterans Park.
Throughout the route, bystanders lined both sides of the street, many accompanied by babies, young children, and lots of fur babies! All were friendly and really glad to be celebrating our country’s birthday. It truly brought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye to pull into the parking lot early that morning and be immersed in the sea of red, white, and blue golf carts, patriotic outfits, dog costumes, and more.
Yes, we are a very patriotic community with many veterans of all the military services and conflicts in our midst. We love our veterans, we love our country, and we love Robson Ranch. And the 4th of July is the perfect time to show that love! If you missed it this time, hopefully, you can be a participant or spectator next year. I’ll see you then!