Longboat dogs 'married' at Freedom Fest

Did anyone hear wedding bells at the 2024 Freedom Fest?

The annual tradition run by the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce held its first red, white and blue dog wedding July 4.

Last year, the two lovebirds Bisou and Tinkerbell met at the parade and had an instant connection of puppy love that the Observer covered. The dogs’ love pushed the owners, Medge and Michael Jaspan and Frank and Martina Kinslow, to become friends and this was the start of many doggy playdates.

A year later, the dogs are expecting puppies, with Tinkerbell’s due date being July 9. 

For the annual hot diggity-dog contest sponsored by the Rotary Club of Longboat Key July 4 as part of Freedom Fest, the couple decided to throw a doggy wedding that won them first prize. Mayor Ken Schneier officiated for the happy couple.

Along with Tinkerbell and Bisou’s wedding, Freedom Fest had a lot of firsts. It was the first time that Chamber President Kim Verreault and Marketing Media Relations Manager Felicia McDermott hosted the event. They hoped for some “old-fashioned American fun” and that is what they gave Longboaters.

The “shortest parade in America” started at 9 a.m. on Bay Isles Road with many Longboat organizations and businesses walking in it such as the Longboat Island Chapel, the Longboat Key Garden Club, the Rotary Club, Observer Media Group, Longboat Key Police and Fire Department and Cannons Marina. 

Harry’s Continental Kitchens General Manager Hal Christensen led the parade as grand marshal. Cannons Marina awarded the Observer Media Group as the most patriotic group. After the parade, the Garden Club released butterflies in Bicentennial Park.

The Chamber trio of Verreault, McDermott and Connie Darah prioritized having new activities for children this year.

The Chamber set up a petting zoo for children to learn about and play with unique animals. The team found out about the petting zoo through Chamber member Jessica Ryherd from Feeding Empty Little Tummies. 

Ryherd’s children own a petting zoo business called RCC Farm Experience and were very accommodating to the Chamber. They offered big and small animals and a variety for the children to learn about including goats and ferrets. The Chamber also had face painting, arts and crafts activities and games for the children. 

“Everyone has been telling me that this is the most kids and families they have seen at Freedom Fest,” said Verreault. “The petting zoo was a really big pull, and I love that we are able to support Jessica and her family like this.” 

Verreault said that the parade got the Longboat community together in a festive manner.