MUSCATINE, Iowa — The Muscatine High School Marching Band struck up a rousing version of “America the Beautiful,” as the city’s traditional salute to patriotism marched through town Friday, July 4.

Floyd Nott, a volunteer with the Muscatine Jaycees, said there were about 90 entries in this year’s procession. The line-up extended for four blocks along Iowa Avenue before it stepped off at  approximately 5 p.m.

World War II veterans getting ready for a community supported Honor Tour of the National World War II Memorial in October, helped head up the procession. The veterans were passengers in the American Legion fire truck driven by Vietnam veteran Dick Hanft. WWII veteran Larry Dwyer, the national director for American Ex POWs, grinned when he saw the 27 names of the veterans getting ready for the tour was posted on the side of the truck.

“You know they’re putting all our names on the side so they can throw rocks at us,” he called out to his fellow vets.

Emily McGlothen of Muscatine and her sister, Sarah Marchand, of Cedar Rapids, got to ride instead of walk as they represented their parents Muscatine business, Miller’s Florist.

Miller’s owners, Mike and Kathy McGlothlen, persuaded their adult daughters to dress up as Webkinz puppies, a product at their shop, complete with large, floppy-eared heads.

Emily said she was a little warm as they waited for the parade to begin.

Many of the entries came from other cities and towns.

Bud White of Wilton dressed in his bright red “parade socks,” and brought his 1960 John Deere tractor to the line-up.

“It’s fun to see the kids smile,” said White, 79, who’s been taking his tractor to up to eight parades a year since he bought it 10 years ago. “People tease me about these red socks, but I just love it. I don’t think I’ll ever outgrow being a kid at a parade.”

Eric Lichtenwald of Lowden, and his daughters, Lorna, 6, and Shawna, 4, brought Eric’s 1951 M38 U.S. military jeep.

Lichtenwald, 33, said jeeps such as his were made for the Korean Conflict from 1951-53, and he bought his from a collector in Decorah.

A vintage 1976 Chevy Caprice Classic was also on display Friday, driven by Mark Colberg of Muscatine.

Colberg, 58, is the second owner of the car which has logged 49,500 miles over the past 32 years. He said the car is a gas hog, but he didn’t mind spending a little extra to be part of the fun.

“We’re out here to have a good time and keep everything local,” he said.

Muscatine High School foreign-exchange student Eugenia Maeder enjoyed the first of two Independence Day celebrations she will participate in, as she rode with Muscatine County auditor Leslie Soule in the parade. Maeder, 17, of Argentina, stayed an extra month in the United States so she could celebrate an American Independence Day. She said she’ll also be back in Argentina in time to celebrate her country’s Independence Day Wednesday, July 9.

As the marchers waited to begin their trek, Kathy and Jerry Othmer treated their family and friends to a front-row seat from the spacious porch of their Iowa Avenue home.

Kathy, 61, said the parade watching porch party is a tradition her family has carried out for more than 30 years. Friday, four generations of her family, including great-grandmother Cleone Snider of Muscatine, joined the fun. Kathy’s good friend, Jan Noll of Muscatine, was also among the dozen guests. Noll said she and Kathy have children about the same age who grew up together enjoying the July 4 tradition.

Roberta Niles also had choice seating from the parking lot of the Muscatine Towers apartments on Iowa Avenue. Niles, 86, grew up watching Muscatine’s July 4 parade, and still enjoys the colorful show from her conveniently located spectator seat.

Reporter contact information

Cynthia Beaudette 563-262-0527

cynthia.beaudette@muscatinejournal.com

And the winners are:

Best in Show: Happy Home Day Care

Best of show vehicle: McKinley Elementary School Cub Scouts

Best Horse: 4-H Stampeding Clovers

Best Float and Theme: Community Bank

Mayor O’Brien’s Choice Award: Happy Joe’s