Fourth of July Parade brings families to downtown for traditional celebration

Even though most grand marshals ride in a convertible for the Fourth of July Parade, Bill Zegers was not going to ride in anything but his tractor. The 96-year-old Newton man got his wish this past Tuesday, and he was seen atop his tractor, with his wife at his side, pulling a wagon of veterans through the downtown district.

Amanda Price, executive director of the Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the parade every year, said because of Zegers’ history of showing tractors and supporting fellow veterans at the Fourth of July Parade, it only seemed fitting to maintain that tradition as grand marshal.

“This was a unique year for that,” Price said. “Because Bill Zegers is such a tractor guy and that’s kind of his tradition for all of his Fourth of July Parades, we were happy to let him do the tractor. We thought it was appropriate! If we would have seen him in a convertible, people would have been like, ‘Wait a second…’”

The parade had about 100 participants this year, and five of those were floats. Price said Newton averages between 80 to 100 participants each year. The Chamber also holds a float competition every year and gives away first, second and third place prizes to the most creative floats utilizing the theme.

The theme this year was “Made in America.”

First place was awarded to Newton Athletes for its patriotic-inspired float. Community Heights Alliance Church and its Sunday comics float won second place. Believers in Grace Church received third place for its giant apple pie featured prominently on the float.

Aside from seeing the grand marshal on display in the parade, Price’s favorite part about the event is getting to ride a golf cart at the end. Although it might not be as glamorous as riding on a tractor or motorcycle or convertible, Price likes being able to see all of the people who attended the parade.

“It’s rewarding because a lot of them clap for us and say thank you,” Price said. “You don’t always get to hear the praises; you usually hear the negative things. So we always appreciate that, because it does take a lot of work.”