Not a rain cloud was in sight for Hockessin’s 14th annual Fourth of July Relays.
Hundreds of racers and residents from 17 neighborhoods filled Swift Park for the morning-long Hockessin tradition, which included relay races and long jump and softball toss competitions.
The spirit of friendly competition always makes the relays a good time, said Matthew Ernst, 14, of Belle Terre, after launching a softball deep into the field. But they’re also a good opportunity to show what your neighborhood can do, he said.
Even though the competition is friendly, that doesn’t mean the races aren’t tiring, said Vincent Leo, 10, of Somerset Lake.
“When I get home, I’m going to be falling apart,” he said, taking a swig from an ice-cold water bottle.
A cool breeze rippled through the park as the competition continued and more neighborhood kids lined up for their turns at the relay races.
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2009 Relays Champions Overall: Stenning Woods Large neighborhood: Hickory Hill Small neighborhood: Piersons Ridge |
Some, like Hitchens Farm resident Kelly Blake, 10, used their downtime between races to sit in the shade and eat vanilla ice cream for breakfast.
Others, like Stenning Woods resident Scott Andrews, 11, preferred to watch the buzzing activity around the race track, as dozens of proud parents snapped photos of their young competitors.
It just wouldn’t be the Fourth of July without the Hockessin relays, said Quinn di Girolamo, 14, of Stenning Woods.
“It’s about all the neighborhoods getting together and showing off their neighborhood pride,” he said.
