Wellman celebration draws large crowds

WELLMAN — As the COVID-19 pandemic slows down and the weather heats up, people are ready to celebrate.

On Saturday, people had a reason to celebrate as Wellman hosted its annual Fourth of July festivities.

“You can’t beat today,” Kent Karnes of Federation Bank in Wellman said. “The weather is beautiful, and people are ready to get out and do something.”

Karnes said that, after the trials of the past year, being able to get out and celebrate Independence Day is extra special this year.

“I think it means a lot to people,” he said. “It’s been a year of hardship. To be able to get out and do things now is just a blessing.

“We’ve seen the results from the parade with how many people were in town.”

The streets of downtown Wellman seemed more packed with parade spectators than in previous years, and they were treated to a parade that ran longer than 45 minutes.

One-year-old Remmy Dickinson was enthralled with all the sights and sounds of the parade as he sat by his grandmother, Charla Howard.

“He loves a parade,” Howard said. “Of course, everyone loves a parade.”

The parade was led by the color guard from the Richmond AMVETS, which stopped at the intersection of Eighth Avenue and Third Street so the Mid-Prairie marching band could play the Star Spangled Banner.

Mid-Prairie High School vocal teacher Collette McClellen sang as the band played.

The parade was the usual mix of floats from businesses and organizations from all over the area, as well as trucks from the Wellman, Kalona, Riverside, Keota and North Keokuk County fire departments, the Washington County Ambulance Service and a number of antique tractors.

Following the parade, the celebration moved to North Park, where a number of vendors were set up and activities were available for the kids.

Miles Barnum, 7, found a way to beat the heat by walking on his hands through a water sprinkler.

“He’s living it up,” his mother, Sarah Barnum, said as she watched her son. “He’s living his best life.”

Jared Barthelman brought his son, 2-year-old Clay Barthelman, to the putting green.

“He hits like I do,” Jared said while watching his son try to putt the ball into the hole.

Roger Stutzman of the Country Cookin’ food truck kept busy cooking burgers on the grill for the long line of customers at the truck.

“It’s nice to get out and see people like this again,” Stutzman said.