This summer Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy jumped into the Leesburg Independence Day Parade with our Hoppy 4th of July float—a joyful and patriotic celebration of native amphibians, insects and reptiles. Our float even played local frog calls along the route, adding to the fun.

Float being worked on in workshop.
Photo by Jerry Underhill.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Jerry Underhill, our artistic manager and visionary. We are so grateful to the 14 sculpture students from Loudoun Valley High School, led by teacher Courtney Kincaid, and the 24 artists from DaVinci Art Studios (part of Loudoun Arts for All) who crafted our critters, as well as Loudoun Wildlife volunteers Amelia Waring, Jan Artz, Karen Jimenez and Ashley Dickens for their creativity and energy.

Special thanks also to Al and Jenny Erickson for lending their trailer and driving the float, and to Sheila Ferguson and Gerco Hoogeweg for opening their workshop to us. We’re deeply appreciative of everyone who helped transport the critters, assemble the float, walk with us in the parade and deconstruct everything afterward—you truly made the float come to life.

In all, 63 people contributed more than 850 volunteer hours to design, build and showcase the float — a true demonstration of the power of community partnerships. We’re also grateful to Veatch Commercial Real Estate for sponsoring the float and making this project possible.

Although we didn’t bring home the Patriot Cup, the judges told us they had a very difficult time choosing between our float and the winner. Most importantly, we were able to share Loudoun Wildlife’s mission with the community, and celebrate nature in a creative and fun way. We’re already looking forward to next year’s parade!

Volunteers in costume before the parade.
Photo by Amy Ulland

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