IMAGES: Merritt Island Independence Day Drive-By Parade Along State Road 520 Draws Big Crowd

By  //  July 4, 2020

nothing can stop us as a nation from showing our pride for the United States of America!

BREVARD COUNTY SHERIFF WAYNE IVEY: “Remember, while these are unique times we are living in, nothing can stop us as a nation from showing our pride for the United States of America!” (Image for Space Coast Daily)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Merritt Island Independence Day Drive-By Parade along State Road 520 attracted a large and enthusiastic crowd Saturday in front of Merritt Square Mall.

The 2nd Annual Independence Day “Drive-By” Parade was on display along eastbound State Road 520, starting just east of Plumosa Street and continuing to Sykes Creek Parkway.

“As everyone is aware, Florida’s COVID-19 numbers are starting to go back up, so our agency, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Charity and our great partners at the Veteran’s Memorial Center want to make sure we are doing everything we can to guard against further increases, while also making sure that we don’t let this pandemic keep great Americans from celebrating our nation’s independence,” said Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey.

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“Now if you know anything about me, our agency and of course the team at the Veteran’s Memorial Center, you know that quitting is never an option and that we will NOT let anything stop us from celebrating this great nation, even a pandemic.”

So rather than throwing in the towel and canceling the parade, Sheriff Ivey made a few modifications that would allow for safe “family social distancing” while also still allowing everyone the opportunity to show their patriotism and tremendous love for our great nation.

“Instead of having our citizens line the streets so the parade can pass by them, we are going to have the parade line the street and let our citizens drive past it!”

Sheriff Wayne Ivey waves to the amazing BCSO Motorcycle stunt demo team. Junny would rather eat ice cream! (Image courtesy of Roger Scruggs)
The Merritt Island Independence Day Drive-By Parade along State Road 520 attracted a large and enthusiastic crowd Saturday in front of Merritt Square Mall. The 2nd Annual Independence Day “Drive-By” Parade was on display along eastbound State Road 520, starting just east of Plumosa Street and continuing to Sykes Creek Parkway. (Image for Space Coast Daily)
The Merritt Island Independence Day Drive-By Parade along State Road 520 attracted a large and enthusiastic crowd Saturday in front of Merritt Square Mall. The 2nd Annual Independence Day “Drive-By” Parade was on display along eastbound State Road 520, starting just east of Plumosa Street and continuing to Sykes Creek Parkway. (BCFR image))
The Merritt Island Independence Day Drive-By Parade along State Road 520 attracted a large and enthusiastic crowd Saturday in front of Merritt Square Mall. The 2nd Annual Independence Day “Drive-By” Parade was on display along eastbound State Road 520, starting just east of Plumosa Street and continuing to Sykes Creek Parkway. (Image for Space Coast Daily)
The Merritt Island Independence Day Drive-By Parade along State Road 520 attracted a large and enthusiastic crowd Saturday in front of Merritt Square Mall. The 2nd Annual Independence Day “Drive-By” Parade was on display along eastbound State Road 520, starting just east of Plumosa Street and continuing to Sykes Creek Parkway. (Image for Space Coast Daily)
The Merritt Island Independence Day Drive-By Parade along State Road 520 attracted a large and enthusiastic crowd Saturday in front of Merritt Square Mall. The 2nd Annual Independence Day “Drive-By” Parade was on display along eastbound State Road 520, starting just east of Plumosa Street and continuing to Sykes Creek Parkway. (Image for Space Coast Daily)
The Merritt Island Independence Day Drive-By Parade along State Road 520 attracted a large and enthusiastic crowd Saturday in front of Merritt Square Mall. The 2nd Annual Independence Day “Drive-By” Parade was on display along eastbound State Road 520, starting just east of Plumosa Street and continuing to Sykes Creek Parkway. (Image for Space Coast Daily)

“This new innovative approach to the parade concept still gave us the opportunity as a community to celebrate our nation’s independence and also allows everyone of all ages to enjoy the excitement and patriotism of the 4th of July while practicing social distance protocols as recommended by the CDC.

Everyone showed their patriotism by blowing their horns and wearing their red, white and blue as they passed along the parade display.

“Remember, while these are unique times we are living in, nothing can stop us as a nation from showing our pride for the United States of America!” said Sheriff Ivey.

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