Tybee Island bike parade honors gold star family as grand marshals

by Cam McCann

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (WTOC) - Hundreds of cyclists are expected to take to the streets of Tybee Island on Independence Day for the annual Tybee Bike Parade, which this year will be led by a gold star family.

Barbara and Charles Bilbrey, who lost their son Charlie in Iraq, will serve as grand marshals for the event. The Bilbreys are from upstate New York but now live on Fort Stewart.

A growing community tradition

Bike parade organizer Colin Stewart said the event has expanded significantly over the years.

“This year it’ll be 3-4 hundred,” Stewart said. “Everybody just comes together.”

Original parade member Madison Stevenson said the event has remained rooted in community.

“It’s just fun to get all the community together and get all of our family and friends involved,” Stevenson said.

Marking the 250th anniversary

Each year, Stewart, his two daughters, and the rest of the organizing crew select a grand marshal to lead the parade. Past grand marshals have included elected officials, hometown heroes, and a Savannah Banana.

This year’s selection was tied to a milestone.

“Being the 250th we wanted to do something special,” Stewart said.

Gold star family takes the lead

Barbara Bilbrey said Tybee Island holds personal significance for her family.

“Strangely enough when we came to see him prior to that deployment, the first place we went was Tybee Island,” she said.

Bilbrey described the parade as a “silly celebration” but said it reflects what makes the island unique.

“But that’s part of Tybee and what makes Tybee, Tybee,” Bilbrey said. “It’s a funky little place, that only they could come up with something like this.”

She said she is looking forward to seeing younger generations at the event.

“Seeing children and seeing the next generation and that we’re talking about how our freedom came to be to the next generation,” Bilbrey said. “People that are celebrating their freedom that I know Charlie had a part in, when I’m gone and reunited with Charlie, I will be looking to those future generations to remember those sacrifices and carry it forward.”

Stewart said the grand marshal selection was fitting.

“I think it’s one of the most honorable things we can do for those who have given their life for our freedom,” he said.