MoVal’s All About Family at 4th of July FunFest and Parade

For nearly three decades the community of Moreno Valley has gathered to celebrate the 4th of July, and for a vast majority of those years, Laura Froehlich has been at the helm of planning, organizing, and making the event possible. This year, however, was the first that 27-year Moreno Valley resident and 17-year City employee Joy Uribe can recall that Froehlich wasn’t a driving force behind making the event possible. This was due solely to her unexpected passing after last year’s celebration. Uribe, who currently holds the title of Senior Administrative Assistant with the City’s Parks and Community Services Department, played a significant role in this year’s planning for the annual parade and Family FunFest, together with the help of Moreno Valley Senior Center Coordinator Jay Jones. She shares, “I could never replace the ‘Flag Mama,’ as everyone knew Laura. She was simply amazing. She was very, very active on base, and year after year, she would drive around in her red, white and blue golf cart. So this year, we contacted the family to see if we could use the cart in her memory.” Froehlich’s husband, Larry, humbly agreed. He simply requested that someone from the military would have the honor of driving it, and that he and his two granddaughters, Laurel Hite, 14, and Taylor Hite, 12, could ride in the parade along with their grandpa in the cart. Much to Larry’s surprise, his daughter, Laurice Souron, who currently serves as a Sr. MSgt in the 163 Reconnaissance Wing at March Air Reserve Base, was dressed in uniform to celebrate the memory of her mom by driving the cart in the parade. It was followed by a classic Ford Mustang Mach 1 driven by close family friend and decorated military officer, Colonel Dana Hessheimer, who has over 4,000 flying hours under his belt. He also serves in the 163rd Reconnaissance Wing at March Air Reserve Base. Uribe recalls the moment right before Fouron, Froehlich’s daughter, began driving her mother’s red, white and blue golf cart in the parade: “She called me over and told me that for as long as she could remember, when the parade would start, her mom would call her over, kiss her on the cheek, and tell her that she loved her. And then she said, ‘And now you are going to do it.’ So I did. I don’t think I’ve ever had an experience like that day. It is truly something I will never forget.” A roaring 75 participants came out alongside the colorful golf cart and classic Mustang in celebration of the holiday. Participants included the Moreno Valley Police Department, Moreno Valley Fire Department, numerous community organizations, local groups, City and military officials, local businesses and more. Parade winners, as determined by the event judges, were recognized by two local Eagle Scouts. They are as follows: • Sweepstakes: Knights of Columbus • Theme Trophy: March Field Air Museum • Mayor and Council Trophy: Moreno Valley Fast Pitch • Chamber of Commerce Trophy: Animal Services • Outstanding Vehicle: Moreno Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce • Most Humorous: Moreno Valley Youth Federation • Outstanding Commercial Entry: Jelly Bellies • Outstanding Non-Commercial Entry: Bangladesh Community of Greater Riverside Area • Outstanding Musical Unit (Marching): Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps • Outstanding Musical Unit (Stationary): Moreno Valley Honor Band • Outstanding Musical Unit (Youth or Corps): Rare Diamonds • Outstanding Marching/Drill Unit (16 years or younger): Dancing Images • Outstanding Marching Drill Unit (17 years and above): CYSC All Stars • Outstanding Equestrian Entry (Single Entry): Rusty Color Guard • Outstanding Equestrian Group Entry (More than one rider): Posse Color Guard Annual parade attendees Jackie Swinehart and her mother sat at the corner of Dracaea and Frederick to enjoy the Family Fourth of July Parade and FunFest. As the mother–daughter duo sat on lawn chairs staying cool, Jackie Swinehart explained, “My mother and I have been attending this event together for the past 18 years, and we have enjoyed it every time.” Alongside the annual parade was the community FunFest and two flyovers provided by the T-34 Heritage Foundation. A gray T-34 was flown by Tyler Rickey, a retired Naval Commander, who was a nuclear submarine combat officer, and a blue camo T-34 was flown by Malcolm Campbell, a retired US Army CW-4, and his alternative pilot Ret. US Army First Sergeant George Watson. The foundation is dedicated to honoring veterans and performs flyovers at memorial and similar services in honor of those who have served. Musical entertainment during the parade included three marching bands: Pacific Crest Band, Moreno Valley Honor Band (led by Grant Dolan and composed of musicians from throughout Moreno Valley high schools), and Yamato Youth Band. Mother of four Maryann Balajadia shared that this was her family’s second year attending this event. “In 2012, my son was featured in the parade playing the concert flute while marching with a Moreno Valley band, which was a great experience, so we had to come back and enjoy the show,” she said. Gates for the annual FunFest opened at Morrison Park and Mountain View Middle School at 1 p.m., with the help of Moreno Valley Boy Scout Troop and Crew 100, whose color guard greeted locals at the opening celebration. About fifty vendors, a beer and wine garden (courtesy of Moreno Valley Parks and Community Services Director Mike McCarty), and live music welcomed the thousands of locals who came out in celebration of America’s independence. Other attractions included craft and book vendors, children’s jumpers, and various food booths, face painting, a petting zoo, and of course the highly-anticipated firework show. With mothers placing blankets under shade trees, fathers getting ready to prepare the grill with hamburgers and hot dogs, and children running around the field at Morrison Park, you could feel the festivities coming alive. A married couple who call the city home and serve as the pastors of New Life Apostolic Church, Sergio and Letti Roman, have been serving the community and participating in the FunFest for the past 18 years. Letti shared, “My favorite thing about being a part of the Fun Fest is enjoying the many people in our community, and most importantly, sharing with them all.” Moreno Valley resident Ken Wilson, who stood beside his daughter, Cheyane Wilson, announced while waving the American flag, “What Fourth of July means to my family is the meaning of independence, freedom, and spending quality time with friends and family.” A Battle of the Bands, where four local music groups competed for the title, was won by Moreno Valley-based indie surf-rock band The Hybernatives, who took first place, followed by local bands Baptized who performed gospel classic rock, Invisible Crossover who performed alternative metal, and Bad Joy who performed art rock. The Battle of the Bands was followed by a variety of acts from local performers who sang, danced, played instruments, and performed other acts entertaining the audience. Other musical talent present included Mrs. Jones’ Revenge, Ghost in the Machine, and Hollywood Stones. Local James Rosenthal shared, “I love it all! It’s the feeling of the American spirit on the Fourth of July!” As the evening progressed, locals anxiously awaited the annual fireworks show. This year, the $30,000 firework show, made possible by Pyro Spectaculars, ran for approximately 25 minutes. The day’s festivities were made possible largely in part from the efforts of the Moreno Valley Parks and Community Services Department, the Public Works Department, Emergency Response Force (ERF), the Moreno Valley Police Department, the Moreno Valley Fire Department, and numerous groups from throughout the community, in addition to event sponsors. The City of Moreno Valley would like to thank the following event sponsors for their contributions towards making the event possible: Budweiser, Waste Management, Marion Ashley, Visterra Credit Union, Fullmer Construction, Inland Empire Health Plan, Miracle Recreation Equipment, Pacific Development Venture, Kola, Moreno Valley Unified School District, PepsiCo, Fritz Duda, Mr. Garfield Logan, March Field Aero Club, Moss Bros. Auto Group, Moreno Valley Rancho Club, and the 163rd RW of the California Air National Guard. Videos of the event will be available on July 16. For a copy, contact the City at 951-413-3280.