The annual Fourth of July parade is fast approaching, and the Newton Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with the American Legion Post 111 in an effort to assemble as many local veterans as possible to participate in the event. The goal is to get anywhere between 300 and 500 Jasper County veterans to march in the parade, which this year carries the theme of “America the Beautiful.”

“We’ve got trams set up and we’ve got more rides if we need it, but I need an idea of about how many (veterans will march),” said Larry Lint, parade representative. “You’re going to get 100 people that are going to fill out the forms and call, but then you’re going to get 100 people that are just going to show up.”

According to Lint, Bill Zegers — known throughout the county for showing off his vintage John Deere tractors in parades — will pull the trams full of veterans with his classic tractors. Other plans for the parade include the VFW and American Legion honor and color guard and an old World War II/Korean War Jeep with a 50-caliber machine gun mounted to it.