All American Day

Cloud cover and a brief mist didn’t stop thousands of people from attending the annual Newton Fourth of July parade Monday in downtown Newton.

More than 90 parade registrants participated in the “Salute to Presidents” parade Monday morning in front of a large crowd along First Avenue and North Second Avenue. The parade lasted nearly two hours.

“It was a huge success. There were tons and tons of people,” Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director and event organizer Amanda Price said.

Price and fellow chamber member Mike Farley walked in the parade leading parade grand marshal Junior Banks, son Jeff and daughter Jaymie.

“I think that everybody and their mother loved seeing Junior as the grand marshal. I mean I’ve never seen a grand marshal get a standing ovation and applause, and he was just loving it the whole time. He was yelling ‘thank you,’ ‘I love you.’ He can work a crowd. It was awesome,” Price said.

Jane Ann Cotton attended with her son, daughter-in-law and friends. She enjoys attending the annual parade which she calls “a big highlight.”

“I think its a wonderful Newton tradition. I’ve been here many years, and I always try to come to the Fourth of July parade. It’s a big highlight,” Cotton said.

Like many longtime locals, Carl DeGoey loves to attend the Newton Fourth of July parade. He last lived in town for 13 years and prior to that just north of town on his farm for 50 years.

DeGoey said he loved seeing Banks in the parade, and his favorite automobile was the Farmall Super MTA tractor.

“I like to see old cars. I like to see old tractors, and I like to see a lot of people. I loved it. I was great,” DeGoey said.

The parade could not happen with the work and generosity of its volunteers and committee, Price said.

“They were amazing. They did all the lining up of the parade and the dignitary line. It couldn’t have happened without them,” she said.

Pat Wallace and Liz Dodd are two volunteers who give their time to make sure the parade and activities go as planned. They started at 6 a.m. Monday getting vendors set up and organized.

“It was great. It’s just a day, where you think why would you not want to be in Newton, Iowa? Not everybody has a parade, and people come — it’s wonderful. I love all the people coming together. I think its a great citizen day,” Dodd said.

The fun didn’t end with the parade downtown Monday. A large number of people stayed until the afternoon.

Inflatable bounce houses, joust and obstacle course were popular attractions for children, and hundreds of people lined up for food from food vendors. A beer garden, bags tournament and disc jockey provided fun for adults.

Thousands of people came back out in the evening to the Newton Fourth of July fireworks at Agnes Patterson Park. The parking lots filled up quickly as people arrived early to find a spot and socialize.

Sand volleyball courts, inflatable kids zone, games and food vendors were busy spots while hundred of others enjoyed the band Slipstream before the fireworks went off at about 9:40 p.m.

Contact Kate Malott at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or kmalott@newtondailynews.com