Montezuma ‘Let Freedom Ring’ Parade draws record crowd

       Montezuma “Let Freedom Ring” Parade Grand Marshal Harold Wheeler waves at the crowd while riding in the back of his trusty and rusty old 1987 Chevrolet pickup truck during the Montezuma “Let Freedom Ring” Parade on Saturday, July 5. Wheeler is a life-long community supporter and business owner. When asked how he is doing, Wheeler replies: “Good, Great and Wonderful.”

By J.O. Parker
 
       It was a beautiful and nearly perfect day for the Montezuma “Let Freedom Ring” Celebration on Saturday, July 5.
      The parade drew more than 80 entries and a record-breaking crowd. Area youngsters enjoyed filling their bags with lots of candy thrown from the floats.
     After the parade, the town square remained active as youngsters enjoyed the bouncy houses, sprinklers, foam party, basketball and face painting. 
     The Montezuma Memorial Hall had a steady stream of guests who came to enjoy the delicious and popular Lions BBQ Chicken with all the fixings.
    The Lions Club starts at 4 a.m., cooking more than 800 chicken halves coated with the club’s special and secret seasoning. The meals are served with baked beans, coleslaw, a roll, iced tea and lemonade.
     And scattered on the east lawn of the courthouse and on third street, where a variety of vendors offering everything from seafood boil, hamburgers, Italian food, fresh lemonade, baked goodies, mini donuts, kettle corn, old fashioned spirits and nutritional drinks.
    Before the parade, members of the Montezuma Shooting Sports program held a well-attended Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser at the fire station. 
     The courthouse lawn was also filled with a variety of vendors selling their wares from boutique offerings to jewelry and craft items.
     “This place is heaven on earth,” said Rachel (Teumer) Corbett. “This is one of my favorite traditions. It’s a great opportunity for family to visit and reconnect.”
     “I enjoyed seeing and reconnecting with people and friends,” said Roger Allen of Montezuma, a long-time Montezuma resident and member of the Lions Club. “I am so impressed how the community has supported the Lions through the years.”
     “It was good to be in Montezuma again,” said Chastine Reynolds, formerly of Montezuma and now of Texas City, Texas, who enjoyed the chicken BBQ. “It’s good to see all the faces again, especially the grand marshal, Harold Wheeler.”
    Wheeler, who rolled along the parade route in the back of his faithful 1987 Chevrolet pickup truck, said being grand marshal was a humbling experience and that he was honored to be able to serve.
    “We are blessed and fortunate that the weather held out until the afternoon,” said Wheeler. “Everybody said it was great to see him in his old pickup. It wouldn’t have been the same if he was in a convertible.”
    “It’s a beautiful day with a great turnout,” said Jason Roudbush, a Poweshiek County Supervisor and Brooklyn resident. “It was just wonderful.”
      “It was the biggest parade I’ve seen in years,” said Tiffanny Taylor of Montezuma. “I love it. Go America.”
Lex Jack of Montezuma, who rode on the Bob Taylor wrecker service float, said he loved the big turnout for the parade and festivities.
      “It was one of the busiest parades I’ve seen and the biggest crowd I’ve seen,” he said. “I ran out of candy before I got to Main Street.”
    “I loved it,” said Ava Pargeon of Montezuma. “It’s (the parade and festivities) are so great for our community. It’s good to be able to reconnect with friends and see the kids having fun.”
       The Montezuma Community Development organization hosts the annual Fourth of July celebration.