4th of July Celebration - Parade of Stars

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In the Know with Osceola Chamber-Main Street

Chamber-Main Street collected Fourth of July feedback from various people and groups, and most comments were positive.  Although the number of kid parade entries, antique and classic vehicles, and horses were down, the parade lasted nearly the same length of time as usual. Lack of food vendors was the biggest complaint, and although OCMS staff reached out to vendors from other towns, and the Des Moines area, they were unavailable. The common theme was a shortage of staff- and/or setting up for their local festivities.

OCMS staff and board are grateful to every volunteer and sponsor who made the events possible and for the community who positively supported and participated in the events. 

Spotlight-Worthy Sponsors and Organizations

OCMS investor partners generously supported Fourth of July events and allowed OCMS to fill the bandstand with a variety of local or near local entertainment. Sponsors covered the J and M professional fireworks display and the Meyers Pedal Pull Tractor Pulls. Sponsors covered all the Warrior Dollars awarded to contest winners and the Boy Scout Troup 104, for trash pickup throughout the celebration. Warrior Dollars will be spent in Osceola businesses. OCMS invites the community to thank sponsors and volunteers.

Sponsors: Altec full-filled the Premier Sponsorship and had a strong presence during the celebration as several Altec employees participated in the parade and other events.

Twenty-three other businesses contributed to the four day celebration:  Osceola Foods, Lakeside Hotel Casino, American State Bank, Hunsicker and Associates, Cactus Family Farms, Bud Jones Construction, Chesnut Lawn and Landscape, First National Bank, Clarke County Publishing, Great Western Bank, Hy-Vee, Kading Properties, Stoney Oak Properties, Ske and See Mini Rentals, Gilbert True Value, Shull, Schrum, McClaflin and Co. Inc, Luce Construction, Miller Products, Mosaic, State Farm Insurance-Terry Johnston, Highway Lumber, Friday Insurance, Blakely Tree Service, and Southwestern Community College.

Additionally, Fareway Meat and Grocery Store offered a way for all customers to contribute to the festivities through its ‘Round Up’ program. Clarke County Hospital sponsored and manned the ‘Firecracker Fun Run’.

City and County Workers and Volunteers: A Parade of Stars

Collectively, hundreds of work and volunteer hours comprise the planning, preparation, and execution of events. Beginning with street barricades setup by the Osceola City Crew, and the courthouse lawn preparation by George Norris and Russ Johnson, every person involved plays a vital role in the successful celebration.

After sponsor banners and yard signs were placed on the courtyard by Russ Johnson, John Kempen, Casey Spoelstra, Kasi Shaw, Amy Lundquist and OCMS Staff Wednesday, the celebration officially began Thursday, July 1st, when the carnival opened, and Mayberry’s Coffee Shop and Eatery crew sponsored and organized the pet parade and contest with 20 pets and their owners participating.

 

Cheers to these volunteers:

Friday evening, before the BRNT Band performed, Angie Williams and Linda Phipps registered entries for the pedal pull. Shay and Ayden Mathews and Conner Williams pulled the sled into place for each entry.

Clarke County Emergency Management, Osceola Fire Department, Osceola Police Department and Sheriff Deputies assisted with the funrun, parade lineup and helped keep everyone safe-especially in the high temperatures.

Other parade lineup volunteers included Nicole and Macey Jacobson, Shannon Booth, Casey Spoelstra, and OCMS Staff. Paula McClaflin, Linda Phipps, and Roseanne Jordison judged the entries.

Thanks to courthouse hosts John Lloyd, Terry and Sheryl Jacobsen, and Willard and Mary DeLong, people had access to restrooms and a cool place to rest.

American Legion Davis Pence Post 69 performed the traditional flag raising ceremonies and led the parade. Emcees, Chuck DeVos and Bruce Harris announced parade entries and float winners sitting atop the trailer provided by Kyle Halls- Halls Farms, LLC. Jason and Callie Shields led Boy Scout Troup 104 volunteers who hosted the pancake breakfast, Cornhole Tournament and facilitated trash pickup duties.

Chuck DeVos emceed the Little Mr. and Miss contest judged by Paula McClaflin, Linda Phipps, and Roseanne Jordison.

All pies were judged by First National Bank employees. Jeff and Dylan Webb donated their services for the auction, and Casey Spoelstra and Paula McClaflin noted buyers and amounts.

 A special note about the pie auction: The gooseberry pie bidding became a contest between two people. When the final bid was announced, the pie baker, Bev Seeberger, approached the person (a Veteran) who lost the bid and told him she would bake him a pie at no cost. He gratefully accepted her offer but insisted on donating money to the Fourth of July fund. His check was more than the winning bid.

Several people helped make the talent show successful. Jake Lampe ran the sound board while Chuck DeVos, Brad and Joe Lampe performed before the contest and while judges conferred. Brad emceed and Becca Kedley organized entrees. Molly Crawford, Paula McClaflin and Kristin Flaherty had the challenge of judging.

As Monday was a holiday for most businesses, the final courthouse lawn cleanup wrapped up Tuesday with George Norris, Paula McClaflin, Kristin Flaherty, Dave Bemis, and Ashleigh Eckels removing banners.  The city crew ran the street cleaners after the carnival rolled out of town and the square is ready for the next event.

Stay In the Know with the Monday Morning Update; follow OCMS @ www.facebook.com/OCMS06; or check events at www.osceolachamber.com.