Third of July Parade: ‘Weather was awesome’

Published 1:50 am Friday, July 4, 2008

People’s Choice:
Home Federal Savings Bank
Overall Champion:
St. John’s Lutheran Home
Nonprofit:
1. St. John’s Lutheran Home
2. Good Samaritan Center
Youth:
1. Children’s Center
2. Freeborn 4-H Club
Commercial:
1. Minnesota Corrugated Box
2. Blondie’s Grill
Winner of the home-decorating contest:
808 Bridge Ave.

It was like the history of Albert Lea flashed before your eyes if you were a spectator of the Third of July Parade. This year’s theme was “Echoes of the Past,” and it was reflected in most of the 130 parade floats Thursday.

After last year’s cancellation because of severe weather — for the first time in the history of the parade — many spectators seemed relieved to see the first few floats pass by.

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“We are ecstatic it didn’t rain,” said Tami Riecke, parade co-chairwoman and operations manager of the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the parade. She estimated 25,000 people sat along the parade route to enjoy the show.

The 2007 canceled parade caused great disappointment for the Santiago family, who traveled to Albert Lea to visit friends Larry and Jean Bergo and see the parade. After catching just a few floats last year before the storm, Raul and Bennie Santiago said they were returning this year to see the whole thing.

“The Bergos talk too much about this parade, so we thought we had to see the parade,” said Bennie.

“It was what we expected and more,” she said after the parade. “We were happy we were able to finish the dream that we had.”

Floats driving down the 1.3-mile route through town incorporated many periods in history and many important events. The Trade & Labor Credit Union showed the changes of history with a 1958 desk and employee juxtaposed with a 2008 desk and employee. Home Depot had two kitchens on display — one from the 1950s and a modern kitchen.

The grand marshals of the parade brought out the historical theme, as the World War II Women Veterans waved to the crowd. Women weren’t recognized for their service in the military until 1948.

“It’s been good,” said Iris Tarvestad.

“It’s a nice way to spend the evening,” said her friend Barb O’Connor.

The Albert Lea Township Fire Department drove the city’s first motorized fire truck. Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services drove an antiquated truck with an old, wooden ladder on top in addition to their modern trucks.

The entry for Good Samaritan Society had people walking down the street wearing T-shirts with photos and hand prints of residents. On each shirt there was a saying: “These Hands …” taught in a one-room school room or coached for 11 years.

“I think it was absolutely wonderful,” said Machelle Rowand.

She watched the parade with her 2-year-old granddaughter Tiarra Rowand, who experienced her first parade Thursday.

“She had such a good time,” Machelle said.

Even McDonald’s got into the historical theme with its old costumes of Grimace and the Hamburglar. A sign with 1950s prices — with most item listed at 10 cents — sat next to Grimace on the truck.

Many old cars drove by as parts of floats. Bergdale Harley-Davidson carted a 1946 Knucklehead bike and a 2008 Crossbones bike. The Motor Inn Co. entry had a 1908 Model T celebrating its 100-year anniversary. Women in poodle skirts walked by tossing candy to the crowd. With the Freeborn County Red Cross float, one woman was dressed in a vintage nurse’s uniform.

“I like it all,” said 10-year-old Tahnisha Jimenez, after which a chorus of “me too!” came from Matthew Washington and Nick Jimenez, both 6 years old.

The multiple Shriner groups and the Austin Lions Go Cart Unit caused excitement in the crowd as they sped around the street and stopped in formation to wave to fans.

Dunnell Lenort was scheduled to be in the parade lineup, but due to the recent car wreck involving him and his wife, he was not there. According to a St. Marys Hospital spokeswoman, Angie Lenort is listed in good condition.

The parade entries staged at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds and made their way south on Bridge Avenue, then west on Fountain Street and south on St. Mary Avenue, finishing at Central Park.

A spectator near the corner of Broadway Avenue and Fountain Street was hit by a rock and injured. The woman was taken by ambulance to Albert Lea Medical Center, and police apprehended the man they believe threw the rock. Witnesses were interviewed, too.

Local politicians were out to meet and greet, and make sure local voters knew their names and faces. Each political party had their respective candidates and their families walking the route.

Many live music floats got the crowd going. The Albert Lea High School drum line and the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva High School marching band were in attendance along with many other floats serenading the crowd through bands or singers.

“It was just a good parade,” Riecke said. “We could not be happier with everything. The weather was awesome. The grand marshals were great.”