The color guard from American Legion Mooney Long Post No. 279 of Blue Mound led the annual Independence Day parade on Saturday, July 2. (Photos by Roger Sims/Linn County Journal)
Cooler-but-sunny weather was perfect for Blue Mound's annual Independence Day celebration on Saturday, July 1. The event, which began with an 8 a.m. softball tournament and ended with a fireworks display after the sun set, drew people from throughout the area.
With the theme of "So God Made a Farmer," the parade paid tribute to the men and women who work in agriculture. Following the children's parade, which also paid tribute to the area's rural heritage, hay trucks, tractors and combines rolled down Main Street as children harvested candy and their parents waved at the drivers of the parade of vehicles including four-wheelers to semi-trailer rigs.
Following the parade, the city park remained a hub of activity with children's games, a petting zoo, food trucks and vendors serving lunch, and neighbors took time to visit with their neighbors under the shade trees.
The day ended with more games and a fireworks display at the ball fields.
Apparently unaware of an "extra passenger," Dale Wright drives a hay truck in the parade.
Halle West's tractor pulls a feed wagon down Main Street.
Gary Hartman drives his custom V-8 powered trike with granddaughter Rebecca White riding along.
Future farmers Ruby, 6, and Ava, 5, drive down Main Street in the kids parade.
Three-year-old Max looks like the future of farming driving his tractor in the kids parade. He was accompanied by Emily Brownback with 1-year-old Wills and 10-year-old Elaine.
Monroe, Jentri and Tegan ride a pony-drawn sulky in the kids parade under the watchful eye of Trenton Johnson.
Below is a gallery of more photos taken at the Blue Mound event:
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