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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Record crowd helps Montezuma ‘Let Freedom Ring’
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MONTEZUMA — Saturday, July 5 was a beautiful and nearly perfect day for the Montezuma “Let Freedom Ring” celebration which brought in a record-breaking crowd.
The parade drew more than 80 entries. Area children filled bags with the candy thrown from parade floats.
After the parade, the town square remained active children enjoyed bouncy houses, sprinklers, a foam party, basketball and face painting.
The Montezuma Memorial Hall had a steady stream of guests for the popular Lions barbecue 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 doughnuts, 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 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, a longtime 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 barbecue “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. “[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.
