The parade starts at 6 p.m. Thursday. Click here to read the lineup for the Third of July Parade.

Female veterans of World War II will be recognized through an event before the Third of July Parade. The Women Veterans of Freeborn County will celebrate 60 years of continuous service.
The program starts at 2:30 p.m. at the American Legion Post 56 on North Broadway Avenue in Albert Lea. A meal will follow the program provided by the American Legion.
The veterans will then travel down to the Freeborn County Veterans Memorial at the government center for a wreath presentation. Then it’s on to the Freeborn County Fairgrounds, where the female veterans of World War II will be the grand marshals of the Third of July Parade.
The veterans will have seating at the home of Mark Jones, 216 Fountain St., to enjoy the rest of the parade.

The annual Albert Lea Third of July Parade last year was canceled due to severe weather and a tornado that hit the western part of Freeborn County. This year, parade organizers are ready for inclement weather with a new policy in place, although they hope the policy isn’t used.

“We’re really, really hoping and praying for good weather,” said Tami Riecke, operations manager of the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce.

The parade starts at 6 p.m., with floats lining up at 5 p.m. at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds. The 1.3-mile route travels down Bridge Avenue, along Fountain Street and ends at Central Park. Roughly 120 floats are registered, according to Riecke.

The new policy includes two half-hour delays, and if the parade is delayed until 7 p.m. then it is canceled for good.

Riecke said it would have been difficult to schedule a backup day because the Chamber would have to ask the Albert Lea Police Department to coordinate and pay officers for two days when most likely only one would be needed. This policy is similar to other area parades, she said.

The parade theme this year is “Echoes of the Past,” and floats can be decorated according to the theme — which Riecke said coordinates with the state’s sesquicentennial — or with patriotic decorations.

The Third of July Parade has gone on regularly since 1989, after a one-year absence, according to parade co-chairman Tom Jones.

“It’s a great family event,” Riecke said.

New this year, female veterans of World War II will serve as the parade grand marshals. Other new parade members include the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva marching band, an Austin Lyons Club with its go-carts and the Albert Lea High School drum line.

The Minnesota Over 60 band will play, and several Shriner groups will be in the parade.

A contest for best decorated float will happen again this year, with prizes awarded to best in the youth, commercial and nonprofit or public service categories. The best overall float will win $300. First place in the other two categories will win $150 and second place in all three categories will win $100. A People’s Choice Award will be given out and is sponsored by Tiger City Sports.

There will be a contest for the best decorated yard or business along the parade route. The winner will receive $100 in Chamber Bucks, although Riecke said not too many homes and businesses have registered.

Some food vendors will be selling food at the parking lot on North Broadway Avenue and Fountain Street. Others will be walking around selling food and water, Riecke said.

She asks people to make sure to pick up any trash, and the Big Island Rendezvous group will be walking around handing out garbage bags during the parade.