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Wednesday, July 5, 2006
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Parade a tradition, but for newcomers it's just fun FOURTH OF JULY Staff Writer The Brainerd Fourth of July parade is a tradition for many.
For years, family and friends have packed up their lawn chairs, blankets and children and headed for a particular spot on the parade route.
On Tuesday, the people who have always attended the parade were there, as well as those attending the parade for the first time, including Gene and Phyllis Modl of Baxter. The couple moved from Aitkin in February.
Parade winners
Best in parade: The Groove, a marching drum line from Sioux Falls, S.D.
Animal unit: Schuberts Percherons, first place; Crow Wing County Sheriff's Mounted Patrol, second place; and the Flying Feathers Clydesdales, third place.
Non-profit: Cub Scouts No. 83 and No. 100, first place; Lakes Area Senior Activity Center, second place; Kids Act Productions, third place.
Band and drum line: Brainerd High School Marching Band, first place; Southwest Christian Drum Line, second place; The Shiner's Drum Corp., third place.
Commercial units: Paul Bunyan Land, first place; Mills Co. and Train Bell Resort, tied for second place; Citadel Games and Nordic Inn Resort, third place.
Open class: Blue Brothers, first place; Downtown St. Patrick's Day parade, second place; and Marine Corps. League, third place.
Antiques: Old Homestead Antique Tractor Club, first place; Two Cylinder Tractor Club, second place; and there was no third place.
Royalty: Little Mr. and Mrs. Fourth of July, first place; Miss Brainerd Lakes, second place; and Pine River Royalty, third place.
Fire Engines: Mission Fire and Rescue, first place; Motley Fire and Rescue, second place; and Nisswa fire Department, third place.
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"I heard the parade is wonderful," said Phyllis. "There's a lot more people here than I expected."
Gene said, "We love parades. We like the horses, the music, the little kids and the beautiful floats."
When the Modls drove to the parade they encountered many blocked roads, but they eventually made it to Fourth Street South and parked in the Public Defender's Office parking lot.
"A lady told us we could park there so we lucked out," said Phyllis. "Then we realized we forgot our lawn chairs, but we lucked out again when a (Brainerd) police officer allowed us to sit here (on the back of an all-terrain vehicle)."
The Modls had a great time watching the 115 floats march or drive down Laurel Street for the two-hour parade. Phyllis also took several pictures.
At one point the Modls began gathering their items to leave because they thought the parade was over. Then a Brainerd police officer told them it wasn't and it was just "a pause."
They just smiled and waited for more floats, like the thousands of other parade spectators who enjoyed the beautiful weather.
Throughout the parade route, children eagerly waited for candy and other goodies to be thrown. The crowd waved American flags and applauded for veterans and the floats they liked.
The parade featured everything from beauty queens to politicians, and also the Brainerd High School marching band and drum line bands. Brainerd and other area fire departments also were in the parade as well as area businesses showing off their floats.
The grand marshal this year was Mike Pazdernick, company commander of the Minnesota National Guard soldiers in Company A, 1st Battalion, 194th Armor, and the soldiers in the unit.
When the parade ended, the Modls were enthusiastic. "This is a really great parade," said Phyllis. "The whole thing was awesome." Gene said, "It was a great time. We'll be back next year."
Like many, the Modls left to watch the fireworks late Tuesday night above Don Adamson Field. Before the fireworks, spectators saw M-16s fly across the field from the north.
JENNIFER STOCKINGER can be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.
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