Islanders celebrate Independence Day with parade, race

Story and Photos by Alice Gerard

Senior Contributing Writer

Grand Island celebrated Independence Day with a variety-packed parade, filled with musicians, dancers, a classic fire truck, a parade of Corvettes and more. Close to 800 runners celebrated by participating in the 48^th annual Dick Bessel Independence Day run, held prior to the parade.

According to Joe Menter, recreation supervisor of the Grand Island Recreation Department, approximately 4,000-5,000 people watched the parade, which featured 64 different floats.

There were 636 who participated in the adult race. The top three male finishers were Jon French, from Syracuse, at 11:22; Stephen Kaelin, from Buffalo at 11:35; and Nick Orlwoski, from Buffalo at 11:42. The top three female finishers were Kimberly Tomasik, from Orchard Park, at 12:31; Alyssa Curtis, from Amherst, at 13:45; and Mia Fitzsimmmons, from Clemmons, North Carolina, at 14:17. In the children’s race, there were more than 150 participants.

“The parade was very smooth,” Menter said. “I thought it was going to take longer than it did. We had more units this year than in previous years. All the units stayed close together. There were no large gaps, and they provided constant entertainment from start to finish. The festive decorations were great. Thank you to the participants for an entertaining parade.”

Paradegoers mentioned a variety of things that they enjoyed at the event.

Shannon Zaccharia said she liked “the unity and spirit of the people on Grand Island.”

For Tonya Jackson, it was the bagpipes: “I have loved that sound since I was 4, watching the parade from a little yellow house on the boulevard, across from Marston's place. That is my earliest parade memory, about 40 years ago.”

The Impact Sports football mascot was Beth Sweeney’s favorite: “Shakhour rocked it.”

Lou Fabiano said he most liked “the chicken man. That was my favorite part of the parade when he came out!”

“I like the chicken man,” said Tammy Soponski Irving. “I miss the Kiss Band. They were not in the parade this year!”

Fawn Marie agreed with Fabiano: “We had fun with him this year.”

“I may be biased because my daughter is one of them,” Stephanie Violino said. “But the dancers and baton twirlers who have to jump around and perform the same routine 15 times in 90-degree heat. Those little girls are amazing.”

“The run and parade are a team effort,” Menter said. “Thank you to the staff from the Recreation Department, Parks Department, Highway Department and Grand Island Police Department and the volunteers from the Grand Island Fire Co.”

A few big anniversaries are coming up, Menter added. “2026 is the 50th anniversary of the Dick Bessel Independence Day Run, as well as the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence.”

Grand Island Fun Center vehicles.

Howard Hanna vehicle.

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Alphabetical list of parade entries

• 23 Skidoo
• 82nd Airborne
• Niagara Frontier American Legion Post No. 1346
• Assemblyman Angelo Morinello
• All American NY Lady Pageant – Annmarie Przybysz
• Anew You Med Spa
• Basil Family Dealerships
• Basil Ford of Niagara Falls
• Blue Water Marina
• Brad Bowman – WNY Metro Roberts
• Bridgeview Tavern
• Caledonian Pipe and Drum Band
• Christine Czarnik for New York State Senate
• Charles N. DeGlopper VFW Post No. 9249
• Corvettes of Buffalo
• Cub Scout Pack 630
• "D" Company Buffalo City Guard
• Gordon Highlanders
• Double Down Blues Band
• Elderwood at Williamsville
• Erie County Sheriff's Office – Sheriff John Garcia, Honor Guard, Mounted Unit, Command Staff and Deputies
• Fedco Speed Racing 21G
• Frank's Mr. Plumber / Frank's Basement Systems
• GICSD Transportation Department
• Grand Island Chamber of Commerce
• Grand Island Dance Center
• Grand Island Fire Co.
• Grand Island Fun Center
• Grand Island Golden Age Center
• Grand Island Little League
• Grand Island Moose Lodge
• Grand Island Republican Committee
• Howard Hanna Real Estate – Shelia Ferrentino
• Hybrid Defense
• Impact Sports
• Island Aesthetics
• Islettes Elite Dance and Twirl Team
• Jen's Cookie Jar
• John's Towing
• Jose Garcia for Grand Island Town Council
• Judge Buscaglia for Erie County Family Court
• Knights of Columbus Good Samaritan Council No. 15749
• Law Enforcement Escort – GIPD, ECSD, NYS Troopers
• Leaf, Stone & Steal Mackenzie Highlanders Pipe Band
• Maguire Automotive
• Military Vehicles – Dennis Castiglia
• Miracle League of WNY
• Nickel City Hardwood and Nickel City Cabinets
• Premier Sound – Eric Volk – parade and run announcer
• Rebecca Simpson, licensed real estate salesperson – Hunt Real Estate
• Sam Long's Landscaping and Excavating
• St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church
• St. Stephen School
• Step In Time Studio of Dance
• The Democratic Committee
• The Niagara Frontier Antique and Classic Boat Society
• The Park
• The Sokody Sales Team
• The Village Inn
• Town of Grand Island elected officials
• Trinity Church
• Twin City Massage
• Wavelengths Hair Design