Socially distanced parade offers safe alternative to town’s usual Independence Day celebrations

by Don Richeson – 

COVID-19 concerns prompted Urbanna to cancel its annual Independence Day community fireworks display and official boat parade this year. Large crowds packed tightly together can create issues nowadays. Still, many residents wanted to do something special to celebrate the nation’s 244th birthday this past Saturday and decided to come up with a socially distanced, fun but safe event for Urbanna folks — a golf cart parade.

Spearheading things was Jill Durand, a nurse consultant who splits her time between Urbanna and Richmond. She teamed up with fellow military veteran Darrell Sears of Urbanna, owner of Unique Golf Carts of Urbanna. “We all threw this together in less than a week, (many were) involved and did an amazing job,” Durand said. “This day was about celebrating America.” She kept it a non-partisan, non-political event, restricting campaign flags, but welcoming American flags and military service flags.