Families make priceless July 4th memories at McMillian Park

MT. PLEASANT — Fire trucks, princesses, and trolley rides created a lighthearted family-friendly event for the Fourth of July at McMillian Park, Tuesday evening.

Following the traditional Fourth of July parade, complete with an appearance from the first ever Miss Mt. Pleasant’s Teen Elizabeth Maine, families donning outfits of red, white, and blue took over McMillian Park.

Firetrucks, police cars, and ambulances lined up to greet excited young people as they met their heroes.

After handing out stickers and plastic firefighter helmets, Mt. Pleasant Fire department set to work lining up tube after tube of fireworks for the display later that night.

As families spent time around McMillian Park waiting for the fireworks display, many children enjoyed time on the bounce houses with Henry County’s 2022 Fair Queen Chevy Mills, while others cooled down in the shade of the carousel building with Henry County’s Junior Miss Henry County Kara Hoover.

Some families set up cornhole games as they snacked on Dole Whips, walking tacos, and grilled sandwiches from the Henry County Cattlemen and listened to music played from the grandstands.

Between snacks, princess sightings, and fawning over local heroes, people loaded onto tractor pulled trolleys to get from one end of the park to the other.

At one of the tractor’s stops, individuals piled off the tractor trolley only to climb about the iconic electric trolley at the station.

Livvy and Mitch Boeck sat on a bench at the station waiting for a trolley to arrive with their 3-year-old twin boys, Oliver and Miles.

“This is our first time bringing the kids to McMillian Park for the Fourth of July,” Livvy said.

“Oh, I see it, mommy, I see it!” one of the boys exclaimed pointing at the red trolley as it pulled into the station.

“All aboard!” his brother proudly called out as the family climbed onto the trolley.

After cruising through the Old Threshers grounds, Oliver and Miles Boeck both explained that they were very excited to ride on a real trolley like they’d seen on their favorite show Daniel Tiger.

Families throughout McMillian Park made just as many sweet memories as they enjoyed all the free events offered to the community and wrapped up their day of celebration with a fireworks display.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com