Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch kicks off Independence Day weekend

By Madison Bierl
| 8:30 a.m. July 3, 2026

Emersyn Baker, 3, woke up Thursday morning eager to ride in the bike parade at the Kiddie Academy.

East County
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On July 2, the first words out of 3-year-old Emersyn Baker's mouth were "Today is the bike parade!"

As Baker rode around dressed in a red, white and blue Minnie Mouse-themed dress, she blew kisses to all of her friends.

Baker, along with other children who attend Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch, came together to celebrate Independence Day. Each child was able to create their own holiday themed hat, decorate a bike or scooter with streamers, and enjoy red, white and blue popsicles.

Berenice Giles, an assistant teacher at Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch, said it was exciting to get the kids hyped up all week for the parade.

Giles said being able to see milestones, such as the kids riding without training wheels, is the "most beautiful experience ever."

"As a teacher, it makes you feel like happy because they want to show you those kind of things," Giles said. "They want to show you that they're growing up."

Jayden Wolfe, the operations manager at Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch, said school held the event last year but it was mostly rained out. This year, every age group was able to enjoy it under the sun.

Wolfe said they enjoy doing something special to kick off the holiday weekend, and nothing beats the happiness and smiles that the bike parade brings.

Giovanni Soto, a 10-year-old at Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch, said he enjoys experiences like the bike parade, especially alongside his sister, 6-year-old Lyla Soto.

He enjoyed the opportunity to decorate his scooter.

"I'm always wanting to explore more and I've always been creative," Giovanni Soto said. "I've wanting to do more art. I've always been thinking that the more colorful you make things, the more colorful life becomes."

Marvin Jakob Lara, 3, is excited to ride in the parade because he missed the event last year.

Three-year-olds Isabella Gonsalves, Emersyn Baker and Asher Lewis warm up for the bike parade at Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch by making music with maracas.

Ten-year-old Giovanni Soto and his sister, 6-year-old Lyla Soto, are happy to decorate their scooters and celebrate the Fourth of July.

Dean Taylor, 2, takes a break from riding his scooter to cool down with a red, white and blue popsicle.

Ariana Do, Assistant Teacher Berenice Giles and Maya Delvalle embrace the holiday with hand-colored hats and stickers on their faces.

Bobby Stacey, 3, decided to show his patriotism during the bike parade.

Three-year-olds Ryden Rees, Lennon Schwab and Jameson Stone are happy to come together to celebrate Independence Day with their friends at Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch.

Asher Lewis, 3, gets help decorating his Spider-Man bike from Assistant Teacher Melissa Vendramini.

Eva Freniere, 4, was happy to ride her bike, listen to music and eat popsicles during the Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch bike parade.

Otto Wilson, 3, chose to ride a school bus in the bike parade.

Francesca Polo, 2, rides to one of her favorite songs, "Let It Go" from "Frozen."

Kiddie Academy teachers Gladys Burbo and Savannah Dillahay decorate bikes for the children who are too young to do so themselves.

author

Madison Bierl

Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter for the East County Observer. She grew up in Iowa and studied at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University.