Thursday morning at all three Villages squares, the Villages Twirlers and Drum Corps rehearsed their formations and songs, in preparation for their July 4th evening performances.
At 9 a.m., they began at Brownwood Paddock Square, and an hour later, they had migrated to Lake Sumter Landing, where the temperature was already near 90 degrees by 10:30 a.m. After a short break and plenty of water, it was on to Spanish Springs, for their 11 a.m. practice.
You could really call the practice “sweat equity,” as Captain Ann Pelle led the group through their songs. “This is a great way to keep in shape,” Pelle said. “Each square is a little different, so we need to rehearse our routines at all three places so our performances go well.”
A few dozen people who were ambling around the squares were in for a pleasant surprise, as first the drum corps, followed by dozens of twirlers, and then the flag waver brigade, marched into the squares, keeping time with the lively drumbeats. Villager Jerry Peacock, who participates in many patriotic celebrations in and around The Villages, was on hand to lead the drummers.
Bob Rakestraw of the Village of Tall Trees came out with his wife, Bev, and their twin 5-year-old granddaughters, Claire and Catie Hampton, to see the rehearsal. Both girls, who live in the Village of Parkwood, had batons and love watching the twirlers.
“I’m too small now, but I want to be a twirler when I’m bigger,” Claire said. When the Marine Corps. Hymn was played, their grandfather, a Marine Corps veteran, stood at attention.
Seated on folding chairs in a shady spot, Caroline Villagers Bob and Joanne Ling, came out to watch the rehearsal.
“We know Ann Pelle,” Joanne said, “and we decided to celebrate the Fourth of July early today, without the crowds. We are getting up in age, and we can’t walk long distances any more from where we have to park the golf cart — so this is fun for us. The Villages has grown so much over the past few years, and the crowds on holidays are bigger too.”
Among the songs the group marched and danced to were “God Bless the U.S.A.,” and the anthems of the military service branches.
The Fourth of July celebrations at the Villages squares will include the Village Cheerleaders, the Aloha ‘O Ha Hula dance group, stilt walkers and the Prime Time Twirlers. The Prairie Junction Band will entertain at Spanish Springs Tow Square; Paisley Craze will play at Lake Sumter Landing Market Square and Scooter the DJ will be at Brownwood Paddock Square — all starting at 5 p.m.
