Palos Verdes Independence Day Grand Slam! By Writer and Contributor NJ Jaeger
Don’t miss the 60th Palos Verdes July 4th Independence Day Celebration in 2025!
Always free and always organized entirely by volunteers! www.PVJULY4.org
A FIELD OF DREAMS
On July 4th the Malaga Cove School Playing Fields came alive with the sounds of a community at play! A large stage featured a backdrop of the American Flag at the front of the sculpted pavilion that welcomed the public to the Malaga Cove School Playing Fields July 4th 2024. With sun-protected seating for the formal program, dozens of flagpoles carrying the red, white and blue waving in the wind, a replica of the Statue of Liberty for selfies, the aroma of hot dogs and hamburgers grilled by Boy Scout Troop 257, puppet show, face painting, family games and live music, the event had something for adults and kids of all ages. The Souza Palooza Band, directed by Sam Sorensen with Vocalist Brenda Lynn, was so good many on the fields entering the event thought it was a recording until they got closer to witness Brenda was singing a beautiful arrangement of the Star Spangled Banner. “Nothing like Souza on the 4th to make you feel patriotic” a musician extolled.
Introduced by Master of Ceremonies Erick Gutierrez, the Redondo Union High School Marine Corps JROTC Color Guard opened the formal program and Pastor Rick Nelson of the Neighborhood Church gave the invocation.
DODGER HISTORIAN DELIGHTS AUDIENCE
Garrett Burke presented the 2024 Kenneth T. Norris Heritage of Freedom Award to Honoree and Guest Speaker, Mark Langill, Team Historian of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Mark received a standing ovation after his speech. His instant connection with the audience helped bring listeners into the behind-the-scenes world of championship-level baseball. The idiosyncrasies of legends like Vin Scully and Tommy Lasorda provided some of the most amusing moments. By his own admission Mark was no standout talent in little league, however his event participation this year days after brain surgery, will be a standout memory for every member of the audience.
Mark Langill generously agreed to be one of the judges for the Apple Pie Contest and completed his tasty duties just moments before stepping up to the podium to give his speech. Standing at the podium, Mark, who is the undisputed champion of all facts baseball, began with the fact that he just might be experiencing a sugar-high after sampling all 14 Apple Pie Contest entries for judging!
Mark took pictures with dozens and dozens families and signed autographs for happy kids throughout the day.
Library team member honored
Presentation of the Van Dine Americanism Award to Monique Sugimoto was made by Co-Chair Peter McCormack and Van Dine Granddaughter Terra Van Dine.
The award is given each year to a Peninsula resident who has contributed in a special way to the quality of life in America. Student and adult alike understand libraries, and the librarians in them, are one of the most impressive resources America has ever built. One of many reasons Monique Sugimoto, local librarian and archivist, was chosen to receive the award is, Monique would not let Covid halt her efforts to serve her community. An innovator, Monique pivoted and used new outreach tools, including an electric bike and YouTube channel, to show the Peninsula’s rich history to viewers who were unable to access the closed library. The series called Pedal PV is a fun and surprising must-see YouTube history series.
THE ROAR OF THE CROWD
Gamemaster Erick Gutierrez, supported ably by son Aiden, had the upper fields of Malaga Cove School roaring with the sounds of eager family games participants. It was a day of friendly competition by kids vs. kids, kids vs. parents, and, families vs. families! Each wondered was it going to be their winning day as the stepped up to the starting line. Some entered all of the games and races, while others one or two. In the last water balloon round, balloons were thrown at those especially dry and clean-looking parents and older siblings, and the Tug of War round with kids against parents was -- epic! Every finisher was encouraged, congratulated and awarded a keepsake for their efforts.
GAMEDAY LINEUP
2 Rounds of Red Light, Green Light
2 Rounds of Three Legged Race
2 Rounds of Single Sack Race
2 Rounds of Tug of War
4 rounds of Water Balloon Toss
KIDS BIKE PARADE ROUNDS THE BASES
Uncle Sam, college junior Paul Jensen, led the Kids Bike Parade into and across the length of the pavilion to the delight of the audience and some laughter as a four-legged patriot walked into the lineup. Many children and their parents with bikes festooned in red, white and blue, came from around the Peninsula to participate in this popular and beloved tradition. Phones and cameras were poised to catch the moment each child passed in front of the giant American flag.
HISTORIC APPLE PIE SCORE
2024 marks another memorable Apple Pie Contest year with Mayor Murdock of Palos Verdes Estates, Mark Langill Heritage of Freedom Honoree and Phillippe Kassouf of the Palos Verdes Homes Association judging the Peninsula’s best apple pie. Bakers came from four cities: Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills and Torrance. Judy Daugherty, who is an Apple Pie Contest volunteer legend, announced that for the first time in Apple Pie Contest history, the “First Prize winner has also received an Honorable Mention!” The first prize winner took home a live apple tree donated by Bennett Landscape. First Prize went to Caroline Hammer of Rolling Hills, a championship-level baker who really hit it out of the park with her top scoring entry! Second Place went to the talented Jana Whitman and Third Place went to another delicious entry by William Nash.
EXTRA INNINGS
The box that holds the entries for the annual U.S. Capitol Flag Drawing was built and contributed decades ago by the Wagenseils of Palos Verdes Estates. It is a special piece of Independence Day Celebration history and this year Lunada Bay Hardware’s Greg Randolph donated the labor and materials to refurbish it into splendid shape for its next half century of service.
It’s NEVER TOO LATE TO DONATE- www.PVJuly4.org
Devon (Hardwick) McFarland and Peter McCormack Co-Chairs Bryan and Denise Hardwick Founders
Palos Verdes Independence Day Celebration Committee, P.O. Box 1182, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274. The Palos Verdes Independence Day Celebration Committee is a volunteer group of area residents who work together to provide a day of family fun and sense of appreciation for our independence and great American heritage of freedom. Funds for the celebration have been contributed by new and long-time residents and businesses. A sincere Thank You to all who have contributed financially and in kind. As a 501c3 nonprofit organization all contributions of any size are gratefully received – and it’s never too late! Go to the website www.PVJuly4.org or scan to donate!
Photography credit: Rick Thompson
NJ is a storyteller who has written in many voices for clients in health, education, entertainment, food, sport and politics. Her firm managed publicity for documentary films, book authors and the U.S. Championships. Now NJ represents nonprofit groups, political campaigns and lifestyle celebrities across the global environmental movement. Currently NJ is providing publicity for the July 4th Independence Day Celebration, PVJuly4.org, in her hometown. NJ received the Lynn Weaver Award from the Entertainment Professional Publicists Society for her lifelong commitment to philanthropy and community volunteerism.