Anna Maria Island is clearing hurdles toward “normal” after more than a year of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
And an islandwide July 4th parade might be the thrust needed to take people across the finish line.
Holmes Beach commissioners voted 4-0 May 25 to approve the Anna Maria Island Privateers’ temporary use permit application for the traditional July 4th Parade and Celebration that usually begins in Bradenton Beach and ends in Anna Maria.
Commissioner Jayne Christenson was absent with excuse.
Mayor Judy Titsworth said she had the authority to approve the permit but wanted to discuss the event due to concerns with the novel coronavirus.
The annual event was canceled last year due to the pandemic.
The city’s vote was the last mark of approval needed for this year’s parade to move forward since the cities of Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach already approved the parade.
The event will begin at 10 a.m. at Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, and move north on the island, finishing at noon at City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria.
The Privateers will lead the parade in their boat-float, the Skullywag, while other people and groups, including elected officials and some staff from the island’s cities, will follow in their own parade floats or decorated golf carts.
AMIP president Kim “Syren” Boyd told commissioners the Privateers would publish safety guidelines for the event, such as asking people to maintain a social distance or wearing a face mask when close to other paradegoers.
“We’re prepared to do everything we can to try to promote that this is COVID-safe and friendly,” Boyd said.
Commissioner Kim Rash said the event would be a “major step in getting back to normality on the island.”
Commissioner Terry Schaefer said the event would help reestablish a part of the island’s culture lost during the pandemic.
“This isn’t simply for the Privateers,” Schaefer said. “I firmly believe it is a part of our culture on the island.”
Commissioner Carol Soustek acknowledged an unavoidable “hazard” in approving a large-scale event like the parade due to the virus.
“But I think that it’s come a time where a little celebration here and there needs to be done,” she added.
There was no public comment.
Elected officials discuss return to ‘normal’
Even before the parade hits the road, all three cities’ decisions to approve the large-scale event illustrate changing attitudes toward the pandemic.
Bradenton Beach Commissioner Jan Vosburgh wrote in a May 25 text to The Islander that she believes her city “has pretty much returned to normal.”
“I am so grateful that we are at the end of this long hard ordeal and our lives can get back to normal,” Vosburgh wrote. “It is so uplifting to see people’s smiles again.”
In a May 21 email to The Islander, Holmes Beach mayor Judy Titsworth wrote that she’s “cautious but very excited” about potentially reaching the other side of the pandemic.
“I am proud of our residents, business owners and guests,” Titsworth said. “This was quite a challenge both physically and mentally and I wish everyone well and to enjoy being with their friends and loved ones once again.”
However, Titsworth — who contracted COVID-19 earlier this year during an outbreak at Holmes Beach City Hall — added that “it is hard to feel ‘normal’” after such an experience.
On the other hand, a pair of Anna Maria commissioners urged people to continue to err on the side of caution.
Commissioner Joe Muscatello, who also
contracted the virus over the past year, told The Islander May 22 that he hoped people remained safe so they wouldn’t have to suffer the same experience.
“I was one of the lucky ones really because I’m still living, but it was a terrible experience I’ll never forget,” Muscatello said. “We’re on our way (back to normal), but I still think we may be jumping a little too soon. … I’d like to see the percentage of vaccinated people get higher.”
Commissioner Carol Carter told The Islander May 21 that she believed the island might never return to the “normal” from before the pandemic.
“I think people are generally a little more cautious than before,” Carter said. “But I feel fairly comfortable. You know, nothing is ever going to be 100% one way or another, but the fact that deaths and hospitalizations in our area is negligible is a really good sign.”
Holmes Beach repeals mask ordinance
Anna Maria Island’s last mask mandate is gone.
Holmes Beach city commissioners voted 4-0 May 25 to terminate an ordinance that required people to wear face masks in certain conditions, such as when people could not maintain social distancing or within city buildings.
Commissioner Jayne Christenson was absent with excuse.
The city established the mask mandate via emergency order last June but eventually approved an ordinance last fall implementing the same regulations so the city wouldn’t need to renew its emergency order every week.
Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an emergency order last year prohibiting municipalities from issuing fines for COVID-19-related code violations. Still, the ordinance encouraged businesses to call the police to trespass people who don’t follow the business’ mask-related policies.
City attorney Patricia Petruff said business owners can still call the police to trespass people from private property if they don’t follow the owners’ mask policies.
There was no public comment.
— Ryan Paice