The 4th of July when Lucie and Desi showed up!

With July 4th fast approaching, thought you might enjoy seeing what July 4th was like in Coconut Grove, not too long ago. This post is from July 4, 2010. We had the Coconut Hunt, Hot Dog Eating Contest, Picnic, Fireworks, the Chamber of Commerce challenged the Rotary Club in a pig cook-off and even Lucie and Desi Arnaz were in town for the event!

Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz, Jr. here, with Tony Noboa, Chamber prez, enjoyed Sunday's 4th of July Celebration in Peacock Park.

Earlier in the afternoon, the Coconut Hunt took place in Center Grove and before that the Hot Dog Eating Contest at CocoWalk.


The Hooters Girls were part of the attraction, as well as the hot dog eaters. We'll have more on this and the Coconut Hunt tomorrow.


Back in Peacock Park, the Chamber and Rotary Clubs held the "Bring It On Food Challenge," where all day both groups roasted a pig and a wild boar and then had a taste off. The Chamber won the honors, 4th of July Committee Chair, Willie Vega accepts the trophy above in the Chamber's honor. To his right, in red shirt is comedian and emcee Johnny Trabanco. In the yellow is Steve Arch, from the Coconut Grove Rotary Club.


Bernie Gonzalez, Robert Parente and Richard Troutner were just three of the many volunteers who braved the hot, humid weather and the rain, to work one of the beer booths.


The rain came and went, people camped out for the fireworks and luckily by fireworks time about 9:15 pm, the rain stopped and the show went on.


The Zapaters enjoyed the Coconut Hunt all decked out in red, white and blue and to the right are Bryan and Liza Walton, who also stopped by the Coconut Hunt and also enjoyed many of the others activites in the Grove. It was a full day with lots to do.


Of course, despite all of the activities during the day, the biggest star on the Fourth of July is the fireworks show at the end of the long day.