The Village of Pinecrest will commemorate its fourth anniversary on March 11 with a birthday parade and picnic that includes a barbecue lunch from Shorty's Restaurant, free commemorative tee shirts and music from a jazz ensemble.

Pinecrest residents Holly Moynahan, Chelsea Segal and Jessica Silva are seen getting ready for the commemoration parade.

"This is our fourth anniversary celebration commemorating our incorporation as Miami-Dade County's 29th municipality," said Loren Matthews, Pinecrest's director of Parks and Recreation. "It's like our birthday party and we just want people to come out and enjoy themselves and the community. It's the Village's way to say thank you."

The parade route is a relatively short, with participants stepping off from Kendall United Methodist Church on 77 Avenue at 9:00 AM. They'll march East for about half-mile along 104 Street and finish up at Coral Pine Park on 69 Avenue, where the picnic will get underway at 10:30.

"This is the last year that we'll be doing the parade along this route and the picnic at this location," Matthews said. "Next year, we'll have Pinecrest Park open, so we'll probably do the parade down 124 Street, from the middle school or the elementary school, to the new park."

Participants in this year's parade include the South Florida Trail Riders, the Palmetto High School Band, the Miami Jackson High School Marching Band, Pinecrest Elementary School youngsters, members of the Coral Reef Broncos cheerleaders and football team, the Suniland Optimist Sun Devils, the South Florida Ballet and Girl Scout Troop 74, to mention only a few.

"We've got a lot of community groups participating in the parade," said Matthews. "We should have about 600 participants in the parade and we're expecting more than a thousand people at the picnic."

Some of the floats in the parade will be provided by the Village of Pinecrest, the Pinecrest-South Dade YMCA and Doucette Mobile Service Station. Miami Dade Fire and Rescue will lead off the parade with the Village color guard, and the US Customs Department will show off one of its speedboats.

Vehicles from a local antique car club will transport Village council members and other dignitaries along the parade route, including State Rep. John Cosgrove and recently re-elected South Miami Mayor Julio Robainas.

Once the picnic is underway, the Gulliver Academy Jazz Ensemble will provide music at Coral Pine Park, while Shorty's Barbecue will serve the lunch.

"The first time through the lunch line is free," said Matthews. "But, there will be a charge for additional trips."

"We're excited about commemorating our incorporation," said Matthews. "I think that since we've incorporated Pinecrest has really blossomed. So, we really have something to celebrate."