Fantastic Fun During Fabulous Fourth

Christopher Cadagan and Sabrina Spellman flashed big grins when hoisting the trophies presented to them moments earlier.

Proving that pickleball is a sport growing in popularity with younger people, Cadagan, 22, and Spellman, 15, highlighted their Independence Day by winning the top division of Patch Reef Park's Fabulous Fourth Liberty Cup pickleball tournament.

“It feels good,” Spellman said. “It was fun. It was a battle.”

Nearly 50 players participated in pickleball's Liberty Cup, a mixed doubles tournament.

Fans adorned in patriotic garb listened to the National Anthem then cheered loudly for their friends and competitors during the award presentations. 

Elizabeth Benitz and Brent Kock nabbed second place in the top division behind Spellman and Cadagan. Yunes Talita and Nogarol Millen won the 3.0-3.49 division, with Missy Eddinger and David Eddinger finishing in the runner-up spot.

“People were having a good time,” tournament organizer and Patch Reef pickleball coach Leminyer Zapata said. “We decorated the place. We wanted to give people the best experience possible.”

Three District-owned parks helped the Boca Raton community celebrate the Fabulous Fourth.

At the same time Cadagan, Spellman and company were winning pickleball titles, tennis players also claimed trophies at the Boca Raton Racquet Center's Liberty Cup tennis tournament.

Tennis winners included the mixed doubles pairing of Odette Waldman and Chuck Pugsley, and doubles team Lesley Kalenson and Diane Hirsch.

In the afternoon, hundreds celebrated the Fabulous Fourth by enjoying the free Block Party held at Sugar Sand Park.

Forecast showers didn't deter visitors from enjoying carousel rides, the science playground and a collection of food trucks in the parking lot.

Indoor events included kids crafts, face paintings and temporary tattoo applications.

Fabulous Fourth events, which began at 7:15 a.m. with the Firecracker 5K run at Florida Atlantic University, concluded with the annual Fireworks Finale at city-owned Countess de Hoernle Park.

This story originally appeared in the July 2025 edition of our District Dispatch newsletter. To receive future newsletters via email, enter your email address below, then click "Send Me District Newsletter Updates!"