Golf Cart Decorating Ideas For 4th Of July

Donning patriotic face masks, sisters Judy Douglass and Sandi Jorde waited eagerly on Saturday morning to show off their decorated golf cart for the Laguna Woods Village Fourth of July Golf Cart Parade.

Covered in American flags, streamers and other red, white, and blue décor, the widows' cart was perhaps one of the most highly decorated of about 100 golf carts in the parade.

"This is the only event for the Fourth of July so we thought we'd come out and show our patriotism and love for our country," said Jorde. "We wanted to celebrate our country and protect America's rights and the nation's rights."

The two said it took them days to adorn their golf cart and they had to visit several stores to purchase the décor, but it was worth it.

"We wanted to come and be part of a great holiday," said Jorde, who was wearing a red "Make America Great" face mask.

Celebrating their 51st wedding anniversary, Margie and Ken Turner sit with their dog, Tallie, in their golf cart as they wait for the start of the Independence Day golf cart parade through Laguna Woods Village in Laguna Woods on Saturday, July 4, 2020. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
As residents wave, Marcus and Teresa Stewart drive their 1957 Chevy golf cart in the Independence Day golf cart parade through Laguna Woods Village in Laguna Woods on Saturday, July 4, 2020. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Veronica And Jerry Westre sit with their stuffed toy dog, Shep, in their golf cart as they wait for the start of the Independence Day golf cart parade through Laguna Woods Village in Laguna Woods on Saturday, July 4, 2020. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sitting in a their patriotically decorated golf cart, John Camera, 90, left, and his son Joe Camera, right, wait for the start of the Independence Day golf cart parade through Laguna Woods Village in Laguna Woods on Saturday, July 4, 2020. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Marily Stone's dog, Otis, sits in a golf cart waiting for the start of the Independence Day golf cart parade through Laguna Woods Village in Laguna Woods on Saturday, July 4, 2020. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Laguna Woods Village residents watch the start of the Independence Day golf cart parade in Laguna Woods on Saturday, July 4, 2020. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Patriotically dressed, Miss Buttons, sits in the lap of Christine Smith in a golf cart as they wait for the start of the Independence Day golf cart parade through Laguna Woods Village in Laguna Woods on Saturday, July 4, 2020. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Patriotically decorated golf carts make their way through the Laguna Woods Village during the Independence Day golf cart parade as residents watch and wave from the side of the road in Laguna Woods on Saturday, July 4, 2020. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Patriotically dressed, Penny Hanold, holds her dog, Mia, as they sit in a golf cart waiting for the start of the Independence Day golf cart parade through Laguna Woods Village in Laguna Woods on Saturday, July 4, 2020. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Shirley and George Pfister sit with their dog, Oreo, in their golf cart waiting for the start of the Independence Day golf cart parade through Laguna Woods Village in Laguna Woods on Saturday, July 4, 2020. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Patriotically decorated golf carts make their way through the Laguna Woods Village during the Independence Day golf cart parade as residents watch and wave from the side of the road in Laguna Woods on Saturday, July 4, 2020. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Patriotically dressed, Christine Smith sits in a golf cart as she waits for the start of the Independence Day golf cart parade through Laguna Woods Village in Laguna Woods on Saturday, July 4, 2020. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mary Wilson waves to friends as she sits with her husband Bill Wilson in their golf cart as they wait for the start of the Independence Day golf cart parade through Laguna Woods Village in Laguna Woods on Saturday, July 4, 2020. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Patriotically dressed as Lady Liberty, Liz Schoff, stands next to her father, Elwood Schoff, 90, seated in a golf cart as they wait for the start of the Independence Day golf cart parade through Laguna Woods Village in Laguna Woods on Saturday, July 4, 2020. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sisters Judy Douglass, left, and Sandi Jorde, right, sit in a golf cart waiting for the start of the Independence Day golf cart parade through Laguna Woods Village in Laguna Woods on Saturday, July 4, 2020. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Patriotically decorated golf carts make their way through the Laguna Woods Village during the Independence Day golf cart parade as residents watch and wave from the side of the road in Laguna Woods on Saturday, July 4, 2020. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Celebrating their 51st wedding anniversary, Margie and Ken Turner ride with their dog, Tallie, as they make their way through the Laguna Woods Village during the Independence Day golf cart parade as residents watch and wave from the side of the road in Laguna Woods on Saturday, July 4, 2020. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Patriotically decorated golf carts make their way through the Laguna Woods Village during the Independence Day golf cart parade as residents watch and wave from the side of the road in Laguna Woods on Saturday, July 4, 2020. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A patriotically decorated golf cart and its riders make their way through the Laguna Woods Village during the Independence Day golf cart parade as residents watch and wave from the side of the road in Laguna Woods on Saturday, July 4, 2020. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Uncle Sam sits in the back of a golf cart waiting for the start of the Independence Day golf cart parade through Laguna Woods Village in Laguna Woods on Saturday, July 4, 2020. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The highly anticipated event in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic began at 9:30 a.m. at Clubhouses 1 and 5; there were no pre- or post-event gatherings permitted once the golf carts completed their parade routes.

However, residents were more than thrilled to participate and show their spirit for America and their community, be it on golf carts, homes, lawns, balconies or through windows.

Mandatory face coverings were worn by everyone, including those cheering the carts on from the sidelines while also practicing social distancing.

Before making their way down the parade route, residents Adrian Stansfield and Marion Miranda said they were happy to be part of the parade and that it felt good to get out of the house after being locked in for months.

Getting outside

"Getting outdoors" was the shared sentiment among those in the golf carts waiting at Clubhouse 1 before the parade kicked off.

Larry and Carol Sharp said it took them a day to decorate their golf cart, which was red, white and blue from its top down to its wheels.

"This is a fun day for us because we get to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday and spend time with our granddaughter, Madeline, 5, who is visiting," Carol Sharp said. "She also helped us decorate the cart."

Jerry and Veronica Wester, who had stuffed animal Shep, a large dog wearing a red, white and blue hat, were eager to get the parade started, too.

"It feels great to get some fresh air, finally," said Veronica Wester, sporting a pair of plastic star-shaped glasses. "Shep has hats for all occasions and goes everywhere with us."

Dogs abound

Shep, Shi Tzus and lots of other dogs were seated in carts as pet parents showed them off in costumes that blended with the carts' décor.

Scott Stone and partner Yim, who didn't provide her last name, had their dog along for the ride. Mojo, a well-trained 2-year-old Amstaff, performed tricks including giving a high-five to Yim.

"Getting out and showing our patriotism is why we came out today," Yim said. "Why not? There's fresh air and lots to see."

Also in their cart was Marily Stone, Scott's sister, and her dog Otis, a mixed breed that kicked back in the front seat of the cart.

"I got a call from them this morning to come and ride along and said, 'sure, why not?'" she said.

Big crowd

Before taking to the parade route, Laguna Woods Village staff thanked folks for coming. They estimated there were about 60 decorated carts at Clubhouse 1 and another 30 at Clubhouse 5 — a good turnout, they said.

Ken and Margie Turner wanted to show their patriotism, but they were also celebrating their 51st anniversary. The couple was married in Redondo Beach on July 4, 1969.

"It was the only three-day weekend I had, I was in the military," said Ken Turner, as the couple waited for the start of the parade in their cart with dog, Tallie. "We got married on a Friday at 10:30 a.m. and I had to be back at base on Sunday night at 10."

"When you're 16 and 19 years old, it's OK," his wife said.