photo by Jason Schoonover

Jeff Dahlen of Delta Company, a National Guard unit out of Albert Lea, lines up with other members of his company to salute other military units at the start of the parade.

Albert Lea loves a parade

Rain holds off until after event

By Geri McShane | Albert Lea Tribune

Published Saturday, July 4, 2009

Mother Nature decided to be kind to this year’s Albert Lea Third of July Parade.

While a few sprinkles of rain fell during the parade, it didn’t nothing to dampen parade-goers’ spirits. Actual rain, which wet the streets, started to fall just after 8:30 p.m., after the parade had been over for about half an hour.

“Mother Nature made up for two years ago,” said Tom Jones, parade co-chairman. Two years ago, the parade had to be canceled after just a few units had gone through because a thunderstorm moved through.

This year’s parade had about 100 units. Jones said everything went smoothly from start to finish.

“Everyone got in and out of the fairgrounds in an orderly fashion and we were actually ready to start the parade about 10 minutes early,” he said.

Lt. J.D. Carlson of the Albert Lea Police Department echoed Jones’ sentiments, adding there were no problems along the parade route.

The parade route was packed with spectators, and Jones estimates even more people were watching from about 40 boats on Fountain Lake.

There was, perhaps, one small glitch.

The car carrying Dr. Harry Neel, the parade’s grand marshal, stalled behind St. Theodore Catholic Church on Fountain Street. People along the route helped push the car to the side of the street so the parade could continue.

“Could be worse. We have a nice view here of the parade,” said Dr. Lowell Barr, who rode in the back seat.

Some people like Dan Davis helped out by using water from the lake to cool the engine. Bob Haukoos, the driver of the car, tried to start the car a few times, but he waited for Kim Hanson, the owner of the Packard, to come and start it.

The car finally started to a cheer from the nearby crowd, and the car finished the parade route.

The theme for this year’s parade was “Heart of America.” Entrants were urged to decorate according to the theme.

Coming in first place, from the nonprofit category, with the best overall entry was the Albert Lea Art Center. The Art Center’s float was a scale replica of the front of the house in Grant Wood’s “American Gothic” painting. Dick and Barbara Westurn portrayed the solemn Midwestern couple in front of the home.

First place in the youth category was The Children’s Center.

First place in the commercial category went to Home Federal Savings Bank.

Second place in the nonprofit category went to the North Iowa Marine Corps League.

Second place in the youth category went to the Knights Youth Baseball.

Second place in the commercial category was The Home Depot.

The parade opened with military units, including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, National Guard, Vietnam Veterans and North Iowa Marine Corps League.

Members of the Exchange Club passed out small American flags for the kids to wave.

There were fire departments from Albert Lea, Albert Lea Township, Hartland, Glenville and Emmons. Firefighters walked through the crowds collecting money in their boots for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

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