Fourth of July parade draws big crowd

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The annual Seward Fourth of July Celebration extends congratulations and offers parade awards to the participants in the annual parade. The specially designed trophies were created by Tim Moravec.

The parade theme was “Education: America’s Foundation-A Salute to Concordia University’s 125th Birthday.”

The parade awards are funded by grants and investments from the GFWC Seward Woman’s Club, the GFWC Seward Junior Women’s Club and VFW Post 4755 Auxiliary of Seward. The awards are the results of the parade judging at the review stand and the winners were announced at the Bandshell by the parade co-chairs Tonia and Jamie Nantkes.

Parade grand marshals were Dr. Laurie and the Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich, educators and leaders at Concordia University in Seward and recipients of the Nebraskan’s Friend Award. Also honored was Richard Stillahn, recipient of the Seward County Community Service Award 2019 and the Rotary July 4 Royalty Miss Independence Kennedy Dominy, Miss Independence Runner-Up Samantha Quist, Mr. Firecracker Quinton Moore and Mr. Firecracker Runner-up Henry Wake.

The parade trophies are on display at the Seward Civic Center and can be claimed by the winners at the Seward County Chamber and Development Partnership at 616 Bradford Ave. in Seward. Call (402) 643-4189 to pick up a trophy. There are 12 trophies that were presented by the committee.

The following parade awards were presented:

Best of Show, top parade award—Proyecto Cultural-Sangre Azteca Mexican Folklore

Chairman’s Award, judge’s favorite—St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School Firehawks

Mayor’s Award, best entry following the theme—Concordia University and Concordia University Alumni Association, Seward

Merv and Myrna Zillig Memorial Award, best horse unit—Seward County Sheriff’s Posse

Florence Keller Memorial Award, best business entry—H and S Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning of Seward

Cecil Drew Memorial Award, best horse-drawn entry—The Senora Carriage Company

Dorothea Bek Memorial Award, best walking/marching unit—The Seward High School Marching Bluejay Band

Mel Bolte Best Musical Entry, best live music—Wilber-Clatonia High School Alumni Booster Czech Band

Willa Koenig Memorial Award, best youth entry—Seward’s Rivoli Theater Centennial Float

Mary and Margaret Sweasey Memorial Award, best civic entry—Seward Kiwanis Club

Jim Orr Memorial Award, best patriotic entry—David City Knights of Columbus

Dessalee Rousselle Memorial Award, public’s choice award-obvious crowd favorite—Eagle’s Halloween Haunt

Parade emcees were Clark Kolterman, Seward Fourth of July Celebration Committee, and Jerry Meyer of the Nebraska National Guard Museum in Seward.

Parade judges were volunteers Melanie Nutt of Cozad and Candace Muir of Waynesfield, Ohio.

All the banners were carried by volunteer members of the SHS FFA, including the opening parade theme banner and fireworks sponsor banner.

This year, during the parade in the alumni section, the class of 2009 float stopped and SHS alumnus John Samuelson of 2008 proposed to 2009 alumna Beth Luedke and she accepted.

Parade applications and entry forms can be found on the Seward Fourth of July website at www.julyfourthseward.com.